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[NOTICE OF ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2003 ON PAGE 216.

there is no reportable action as a result of today’s closed session.]

[ GAVEL ].

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: WOULD EVERYONE PLEASE TAKE THEIR SEATS? ACTUALLY, I WANT YOU TO GET NEAR YOUR SEAT, AND THEN WE'LL ASK YOU TO STAND, BECAUSE THE INVOCATION THIS MORNING WILL BE LED BY FATHER JOHN PROVENZA, OF THE SAINT HELEN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH IN SOUTHGATE FROM THE FIRST DISTRICT. THE PLEDGE WILL BE LED BY LARRY WIBBLE, THE COMMANDER OF THE HIGHLAND PARK POST NUMBER 206, THE AMERICAN LEGION FROM THE FIFTH DISTRICT. FATHER? WOULD EVERYONE PLEASE STAND?

FATHER JOHN PROVENZA: ALMIGHTY AND ETERNAL GOD, SOURCE OF ALL BLESSING AND GOODNESS, BY YOUR NATURE YOU HAVE CALLED US TO SEEK WHAT IS GOOD AND TO AVOID THAT WHICH IS EVIL. AND DONE BY REASON, WE ARE CREATED IN YOUR LIKENESS AND THUS HAVE THE CAPACITY TO SEEK YOUR DIVINE WILL. DURING THESE TIMES OF UNREST, HELP US AS A NATION TO ACHIEVE TRUE PEACE IN THE WORLD. HELP US TO REMAIN STEADFAST AS YOUR INSTRUMENTS OF LIBERTY AND JUSTICE TO THOSE WHO NEED OUR HELP. GIVE COURAGE TO OUR SOLDIERS WHO DEFEND US UPON DISTANT SHORES AND GIVE A COMFORTING HAND TO THOSE WHO WAIT FOR THEIR RETURN. SEND FORTH YOUR WISDOM UPON THOSE WHO ARE TRUSTED WITH OUR GOVERNANCE. MAY THIS BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ALWAYS REMEMBER TO LISTEN TO THE NEEDS OF THE VOICELESS, THE CHILDREN, POOR, SICK, AND IMPRISONED, AND MAY THEY PUT ASIDE PERSONAL AMBITIONS AND ALWAYS SEEK THE TRUE GOOD OF THE PEOPLE OF LOS ANGELES. TRUSTING IN YOUR DIVINE PROVIDENCE, WE ASK YOU THIS AS THE TRUE GOD WHO LIVES AND REIGNS FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.

LARRY WIBBLE: PLACE YOUR RIGHT HAND OVER YOUR HEART, FACE THE FLAG. [ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ]

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO THE PLEDGE VETERAN? WOULD YOU STEP OVER HERE AND THEN I'LL DO THE -- I'M GOING TO HAVE SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH ALSO DO THE --

SUP. ANTONOVICH: LARRY WEST IS A MEMBER OF THE HIGHLAND PARK POST NUMBER 206, HE'S COMMANDER OF THE AMERICAN LEGION, HE SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY DURING THE VIETNAM WAR, HE'S A RETIRED MACHINIST, HE'S MARRIED WITH THREE CHILDREN AND HE WAS BORN IN INDIANA. SO LARRY, THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN AND LEADING US IN THE PLEDGE. [ APPLAUSE ]

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: AND WE'LL HOLD THE PRESENTATION --

SUP. ANTONOVICH: LET ME JUST SAY THAT FATHER IS A FORMER STUDENT OF MY AUNT, SISTER SAINT GEORGE, WHEN HE WAS IN THE SEMINARY AT SAN FERNANDO.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: WE'LL NOW CALL THE AGENDA.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, WE'LL BEGIN ON PAGE 6. OKAY, WE'RE JUST GOING TO HOLD FOR ONE SECOND.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: SUPERVISOR MOLINA IS CAUGHT IN AN ACCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY. SHE'LL BE HERE SHORTLY. SO GO AHEAD.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: OKAY. ON PAGE 6, AGENDA FOR THE MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, ITEMS 1-D AND 2-D.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY KNABE, SECONDED BY YAROSLAVSKY. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: AGENDA FOR THE MEETING OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, ITEM 1-H.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY ANTONOVICH, SECONDED BY KNABE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: AGENDA FOR THE MEETING OF THE REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT, ITEM 1-P.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY YAROSLAVSKY, SECONDED BY KNABE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ITEMS 1 THROUGH 17, AND I HAVE THE FOLLOWING REQUEST. ON ITEM NUMBER 1, SUPERVISOR BURKE REQUESTS THAT THE APPOINTMENT OF WILBER C. JORDAN TO THE COMMISSION ON H.I.V. SERVICES BE REFERRED BACK TO HER OFFICE.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ON THE REMAINDER, -- I'M SORRY.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: I'M SORRY, ON ITEM NUMBER 4, SUPERVISOR KNABE REQUESTS THAT THIS ITEM BE REFERRED BACK TO HIS OFFICE. ON ITEM NUMBER 8, HOLD FOR HAROLD COLLINS. ON ITEM NUMBER 9, SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH REQUESTS A ONE-WEEK CONTINUANCE. ALSO ON NUMBER 10, SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH REQUESTS A ONE-WEEK CONTINUANCE. ON ITEM NUMBER 11, HOLD FOR SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ITEM NUMBER 10 IS CONTINUED FOR ONE WEEK, AND ITEM NUMBER 11 IS CONTINUED FOR ONE WEEK. ALSO, IT'S SO ORDERED THAT ITEMS 1 AND --.

SUP. KNABE: I THOUGHT YOU SAID ITEM 9 AND 10 WERE CONTINUED ONE WEEK, 11 WAS A HOLD BY SUPERVISOR --

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: I'M SORRY. IT'S 9 IS CONTINUED FOR ONE WEEK AND 10 IS CONTINUED FOR ONE WEEK, 11 IS HELD. AND THEN REFERRED BACK IS ITEM 4, AND ON ITEM 1, WILBUR JORDAN IS REFERRED BACK TO MY OFFICE. ON THE REMAINDER, IT'S MOVED BY YAROSLAVSKY, SECONDED BY ANTONOVICH. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, ITEMS 18 AND 19. ON ITEM NUMBER 19, I'M GOING TO HOLD THAT, BUT SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH REQUESTS THAT THE AMENDMENT TO MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DIRECT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE TO INCLUDE IN THE COUNTY STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AN ITEM SUPPORTING THE EXPANSION OF AND STATE FUNDING FOR VIDEO CONFERENCING FOR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. WITH THAT AMENDMENT, AND ON ITEM NUMBER 19, SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY, SUPERVISOR KNABE, AND SUPERVISOR MOLINA REQUEST THAT THE ITEM BE HELD. SO ITEM 18 IS BEFORE YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY KNABE, SECONDED BY YAROSLAVSKY. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: AUDIT COMMITTEE, ON ITEM NUMBER 20, HOLD FOR GENEVIEVE CLAVREUL. CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, ITEM 21.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY YAROSLAVSKY, SECONDED BY KNABE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL PROCEDURES, ITEM 22.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY KNABE, SECONDED BY YAROSLAVSKY, WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, ITEM 23.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY ANTONOVICH, SECONDED BY YAROSLAVSKY. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, ITEM 24.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY YAROSLAVSKY, SECONDED BY KNABE, WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: HEALTH SERVICES, ITEMS 25 THROUGH 27.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY KNABE, SECONDED BY ANTONOVICH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: HUMAN RESOURCES, ITEM 28.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY ANTONOVICH, SECONDED BY YAROSLAVSKY. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: MENTAL HEALTH, ITEMS 29 AND 30.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY YAROSLAVSKY, SECONDED BY KNABE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: PUBLIC LIBRARY, ITEMS 31 AND 32. ON ITEM NUMBER 32, WE'RE GOING TO HOLD THAT FOR HEARING. IT SHOULD BE TAKEN UP WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING, ITEM 58. SO ITEM 31 IS BEFORE YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY KNABE, SECONDED BY BURKE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES, ON ITEM 33, THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REQUESTS A 30-DAY CONTINUANCE TO MARCH 11, 2003.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ITEM 33 IS CONTINUED TO MARCH 11TH. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: PUBLIC WORKS, ITEMS 34 THROUGH 43. ON ITEM NUMBER 34, THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REQUESTS A ONE-WEEK CONTINUANCE.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: 34 IS CONTINUED FOR ONE WEEK. ON THE REMAINDER, ARE THERE ANY OTHER CONTINUANCES?

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: NO THAT'S ALL.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ON THE REMAINDER MOVED BY ANTONOVICH, SECONDED BY YAROSLAVSKY, WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: ON PAGE 23, THE SHERIFF, ITEMS 44 THROUGH 46.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY YAROSLAVSKY, SECONDED BY KNABE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: TREASURER AND TAX COLLECTOR, ITEM 47.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY KNABE, SECONDED BY ANTONOVICH. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS, 48 AND 49.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY ANTONOVICH, SECONDED BY YAROSLAVSKY. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: ORDINANCE FOR INTRODUCTION, I'M GOING TO HOLD THIS FOR GENEVIEVE CLAVREUL BUT I'LL READ IT INTO THE RECORD. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE THREE, ADVISORY COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES, OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CODE RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SUNSET REVIEW DATE OF SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2008, FOR THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THAT'S HELD.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: WE'LL HOLD THAT FOR GENEVIEVE. ORDINANCE FOR ADOPTION, ITEM 51.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY ANTONOVICH, SECONDED BY KNABE, WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: SEPARATE MATTERS, 52 THROUGH 57. AND I'LL READ THESE INTO THE RECORD. ON 52 THROUGH 56, WE HAVE THE TREASURER AND TAX COLLECTOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADOPT RESOLUTIONS AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AS FOLLOWS. 52, LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 1997 ELECTION SERIES F, 2003, AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $507,345,000. THAT ITEM IS BEFORE YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY YAROSLAVSKY SECONDED BY BURKE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 2002, ELECTION SERIES A, 2003, AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,450,000,000. THAT ITEM IS BEFORE YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY YAROSLAVSKY, SECONDED BY KNABE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: COMPTON UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, 2002, ELECTION SERIES A, AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $40 MILLION.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY BURKE, SECONDED BY KNABE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: LYNWOOD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, 2002, ELECTION SERIES A, AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $20 MILLION.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY BURKE, SECONDED BY ANTONOVICH. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: EL CAMINO COLLEGE DISTRICT, 2002 ELECTION SERIES 2003-A, AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $75 MILLION.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY KNABE, SECONDED BY YAROSLAVSKY. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: ON ITEM 57, HOLD FOR REPORT. ON ITEM 58, PUBLIC HEARING, WE'LL HOLD THAT FOR HEARING. MISCELLANEOUS, ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA REQUESTED BY BOARD MEMBERS AND THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, WHICH WERE POSTED MORE THAN 72 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING, AS INDICATED ON THE GREEN SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA. 59-A.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY ANTONOVICH, SECONDED BY KNABE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: 59-B.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY ANTONOVICH, SECONDED BY YAROSLAVSKY. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: 59-C.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY ANTONOVICH, SECONDED BY KNABE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: ON ITEM 59-D, HOLD FOR STAN JONES AND OTHERS. ON PAGE 28, ITEMS CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS BOARD MEETINGS, AND THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IS REQUESTING A-3 BE HELD. AND THAT COMPLETES THE READING OF THE AGENDA. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SPECIAL ITEMS BEGIN WITH SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT NUMBER 2.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT, I WILL GO DOWN TO THE FRONT BECAUSE WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE SOMEONE WHO IS A HUNDRED YEARS OLD. LEONA FISHER PARKER. IN THESE OPENING YEARS OF THE 21ST CENTURY, AN INCREASING NUMBER OF AMERICANS ARE LIVING LONG ENOUGH TO BECOME ACTIVE SENIOR CITIZENS. HOWEVER, ATTAINING THE AGE OF ONE HUNDRED YEARS IS A VERY SPECIAL MILESTONE, AND WE WANT TO ALL JOIN IN CELEBRATING THAT. MS. LEONA F. PARKER IS JUST SUCH A SPECIAL PERSON. LAST JANUARY 26TH SHE REACHED HER 100TH BIRTHDAY. THE TABERNACLE OF FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH, THROUGH WHAT WAS BY ALL ACCOUNTS A GIGANTIC CELEBRATION WHERE SHE WAS HONORED BY FRIENDS AND FAMILY, INCLUDING HER GRANDSON OLLIE LINSON WHO IS A BATTALION CHIEF WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT AND PAST PRESIDENT OF THE CENTORIANS LOS ANGELES COUNTY BLACK FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION. IT'S WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES WELCOMES AND CONGRATULATES AND WISHES BEST WISHES TO LEONA FISHER PARKER. [ APPLAUSE ]

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: WELL, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MISS PARKER! [ MIXED VOICES ]

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A WORD?

LEONA FISHER PARKER: ALL I CAN SAY IS THANK YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: HAPPY BIRTHDAY. [ APPLAUSE ]

LEONA FISHER PARKER: THEY KNOW ME AND I DON'T KNOW THEM. AND I THANK THEM FOR ALL THEY DID AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL AND ALL I CAN SAY TO YOU, PRAY. PRAY. READ YOUR BIBLE, HONEY, AND PRAY. AND KEEP GOD IN FRONT. LET HIM BE FIRST OF ALL, BECAUSE HE'S YOUR LEADER, HE'S YOUR GUIDE, AND HE'S YOUR PROTECTOR. ANYTHING YOU WANT, YOU ASK GOD FOR IT. IF YOU LIVE FOR HIM, HE SAID, "IF MY WORD ABIDES IN YOU AND YOU ABIDE IN ME, YOU CAN ASK FOR WHAT YOU WILL AND IT WILL BE DONE." SO ALL YOU GOT TO DO IS A LITTLE FOR THE LORD AND HE'LL BLESS YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: HE'S BLESSED YOU, THAT'S FOR SURE. [ APPLAUSE ]

OLLIE: YES MY NAME IS OLLIE BEODUS, HER GRANDSON, AND I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO SUPERVISOR BURKE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO, YOU KNOW, CELEBRATE A CENTURY OF LIVING FOR MY GRANDMOTHER. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ]

SUP. MOLINA: YES I'D LIKE TO MAKE A PRESENTATION OF A CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION TO FATHER PROVENZA. SORRY I WASN'T HERE FOR YOUR INVOCATION, BUT WE THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR LEADING US IN OUR INVOCATION. FATHER PROVENZA HAS SERVED AS PASTOR OF SAINT HELEN ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN SOUTHGATE. HE WAS BORN AND RAISED IN THE EAST SAN GABRIEL VALLEY AND FOR 13 YEARS HE HAS SERVED THE ARCH DIOCESE IN A VARIETY OF ASSIGNMENTS THROUGHOUT OUR COUNTY, INCLUDING SAINT GREGORY THE GREAT, ENWIDDIER, SAINT BERNARD HIGH SCHOOL IN PLAYA DEL RAY, SAINT PAUL HIGH SCHOOL IN SANTA FE SPRINGS, IN ADDITION TO ASSIGNMENTS IN SOUTH CENTRAL LOS ANGELES, PICO VER LAMRADA. HE HAS SERVED IN ALL OF OUR SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICTS, IT SEEMS HE'S BEEN AN ACTIVE MAN. IN ADDITION TO HIS DUTIES AT THE PARISH, FATHER PROVENZA'S ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH AN ORGANIZATION CALLED SOUTHGATE CHURCHES IN ACTION. AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LEADING US IN OUR INVOCATION AND WE WANT TO PRESENT TO YOU A CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ]

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: WE WOULD LIKE TO CALL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION, HART HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE POINT MIDDLE SCHOOL FORWARD. IN 1980, THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION, A COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES TRAINING AND EDUCATION ON CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND PARTICIPATION INTRODUCED THE MOCK TRIAL PROGRAM TO ALL COUNTIES IN CALIFORNIA. THIS PROGRAM, WHICH ALREADY HAD A STRONG FOLLOWING IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY, HAS CREATED -- WAS CREATED TO HELP STUDENTS ACQUIRE A WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM. EVERY YEAR, THE FOUNDATION INTRODUCES A HYPOTHETICAL CRIMINAL CASE WITH LEGAL DOCUMENTATION, LESSON PLANS ON ESSENTIAL ISSUES IN THE CASE, AND COMPETITION RULES AND GUIDELINES. WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF A TEACHER SPONSOR AND ATTORNEY COACH, THE PROGRAM ACTIVELY ENGAGES MORE THAN 8,000 STUDENT PARTICIPANTS THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA. STUDENTS ACTIVELY EXPERIENCE THE EXCITEMENT OF WORKING IN TEAMS, EXCHANGING IDEAS, SETTING GOALS, AND EXAMINING ISSUES. THEY STUDY THE CASE, PREPARE STRATEGIES AND ARGUMENTS FOR TRIAL, AND IN THE PROCESS, DEVELOP PRESENTATION SKILLS, ANALYTICAL ABILITY AND TEAM COOPERATION. THIS YEAR, WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVES FROM HART HIGH SCHOOL AND VIEWPOINT MIDDLE SCHOOL WHO ARE HERE, WHO ARE THE WINNERS OF THE JUNIOR AND THE SENIOR COMPETITION. AND FIRST, I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE VIEWPOINT MIDDLE SCHOOL, CHAMPIONS JUNIOR DIVISION CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION 25TH ANNUAL LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION. [ APPLAUSE ]

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: COULD YOU SAY A WORD HERE?

JENNIFER LICKMAN: MY NAME IS JENNIFER LICKMAN, I'M THE COACH FOR VIEWPOINT SCHOOL. THIS WHOLE EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN SO WONDERFUL FOR MYSELF AND THE TEAM. THEY'VE WORKED SO HARD, AND WHAT AN HONOR TO BE HERE TODAY AND TO HAVE OUR HARD WORK REWARDED THIS WAY. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ]

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: AND THE SENIORS, HART HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPION SENIOR DIVISION CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION 25TH ANNUAL LOS ANGELES MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION, 2002 SPECIAL COMMENDATION WINNERS. CONGRATULATIONS. [ APPLAUSE ]

SPEAKER: AS THE TEAM CAPTAIN FOR THE HART MOCK TRIAL TEAM, I THANK YOU FOR THIS AWARD AND HART WILL DO ITS BEST TO REPRESENT LOS ANGELES COUNTY IN THE STATE COMPETITION.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: GREAT. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ]

TODD CLARK: I'M TODD CLARK, I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION. MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN OUR PROGRAMS OVER THE YEARS. A NUMBER OF YOU HERE IN THE CIRCLE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED AS WELL OR HAVE HAD CHILDREN WHO'VE BEEN INVOLVED. WE TRY TO CREATE BRIDGES BETWEEN THE CLASSROOM AND THE COMMUNITY. ONE OF THE THINGS WE DO A VERY POOR JOB OF IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS TEACHING ABOUT LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND STATE GOVERNMENT. SO OUR PROGRAMS ARE INTENDED TO HELP WITH THAT, AND WE APPRECIATE THIS RECOGNITION AND WE ARE IN AWE OF THE QUALITY OF THE STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN OUR PROGRAMS. THANK YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS ASK THE JUNIORS TO MOVE OVER THIS SIDE AND THEN THE SENIOR OVER HERE, HART, AND THEN WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET A PICTURE WITH THE GROUP. THE JUNIORS OVER AT THIS SIDE AND THEN THE SENIORS OVER AT THAT SIDE. OKAY. ALL THE JUNIORS COME OVER THIS YEAR, AND THE SENIORS GO THAT WAY, AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET A GOOD PICTURE. WE'LL GET ONE AT A TIME. OKAY. LET'S GET THE JUNIORS HERE. OKAY. HERE WE GO. CAN YOU GET THIS?

SUP. KNABE: CONGRATULATIONS.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU. NOW THE SENIORS, WE WANT YOU OVER HERE, I'LL HAVE YOU MOVE OVER SOME, YEAH ON BOTH SIDES. [ MIXED VOICES ]

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: OKAY, HERE WE GO, OKAY CAN EVERYONE SEE. OKAY CONGRATULATIONS.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: TAKE CARE. [ MIXED VOICES ]

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: I HAVE ONE OTHER PRESENTATION. I'D LIKE TO CALL THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY ALTERNATIVE PROVIDER ALLIANCE AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS FORWARD. ARE THEY HERE? LORRAINE IS, ARE -- ARE THEY HERE? WELL JUST COME, PLEASE COME ON FORWARD. THE PROVISION OF HIGH-QUALITY CHILD CARE IS VITAL TO THE WELL BEING OF A COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY THESE DAYS, WHEN SO MANY PARENTS MUST, BY NECESSITY, BE AWAY FROM HOME FOR MANY HOURS IN ORDER TO EARN A LIVING FOR THE FAMILY. CHILD CARE PROVIDERS WORK DILIGENTLY TOWARD EARNING AND CARING FOR AND EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN. THEY DEMONSTRATE THEIR GENUINE CONCERN AND DEDICATION TOWARD THE WELFARE OF OUR CHILDREN THROUGH LONG HOURS OF WORK. CHILD CARE PROVIDERS ARE A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF A PARENT'S ABILITY TO BECOME PART OF THE WORK FORCE, AND THEREFORE ATTAIN OR MAINTAIN SELF-SUFFICIENCY. TODAY WE RECOGNIZE AND SALUTE PROVIDERS FOR THEIR VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE ECONOMY AND TO SOCIETY AT LARGE, AND ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, I HEREBY PROCLAIM CHILD CARE PROVIDER APPRECIATION WEEK IN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 17TH THROUGH THE 23RD, AND WE HAVE GRACE KENOI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CHILD CARE ALLIANCE OF LOS ANGELES, A PARTNERSHIP OF 13 COMMUNITY-BASED AGENCIES THAT PROVIDE CHILD CARE RESOURCES AND REFERRAL SERVICES AND CHILD CARE SUBSIDIES, ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. [ APPLAUSE ]

GRACE KENOI: ON BEHALF OF THE 13 AGENCIES IN L.A. COUNTY, THE CHILD CARE AGENCIES IN L.A. COUNTY THAT PROVIDE RESOURCE AND REFERRAL SERVICES AND ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT SERVICES TO MANY FAMILIES IN THIS COUNTY, WE WANT TO JUST EXTEND OUR APPRECIATION TO THE 30,000 PROVIDERS WE PARTNER WITH THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO ABOUT 74,000 CHILDREN IN L.A. COUNTY AS WELL AS OTHER CHILDREN, AND WE THANK THE BOARD FOR RECOGNIZING THE HARD WORK THAT CHILD CARERS PROVIDE ON A DAILY BASIS AND THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE THAT THEY PROVIDE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AS WELL AS HELPING FAMILIES ATTAIN ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY. SO AGAIN WE ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE THAT YOU'VE RECOGNIZED PROVIDERS DURING THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 17TH TO THE 23RD. AND I'M ACTUALLY JOINED BY MR. JOHN JACKSON OF ACORN, WHO'S ALSO PIVOTAL IN REPRESENTING PROVIDERS AS WELL, AND I THINK HE HAS A FEW WORDS TO SAY.

JOHN JACKSON: JUST BRIEFLY, THE REASON WHY OUR ORGANIZATION BECAME INVOLVED WITH CHILD CARE PROVIDERS IS BECAUSE WE SIMPLY BELIEVE THAT CHILD CARE PROVIDERS ARE DOING ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT JOBS IN AMERICA TODAY BY TRYING TO IMPACT THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, AND THEY NEED ALL THE SUPPORT AND NOURISHING AND JUST ALL THE SUPPORT THAT THEY CAN GET, AND FOR OUR PART, AS A COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION WE'RE TRYING TO DO THAT. SO WITH ACKNOWLEDGEMENT COMES RESPONSIBILITY, AND WE'RE TRYING TO OWN UP TO THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT WE HAVE TO THESE COMMUNITIES THAT WE'RE WORKING IN.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [ APPLAUSE ]

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATIONS. SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY, DO YOU HAVE PRESENTATIONS? SUPERVISOR KNABE, DO YOU HAVE PRESENTATIONS?

SUP. KNABE: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. I'D LIKE TO CALL FORWARD BILL ROSENDAHL, GOOD FRIEND OF ALL OF US UP HERE. BILL HAS BEEN IN THE CABLE INDUSTRY FOR 21 YEARS AND IS CURRENTLY VICE PRESIDENT OF POLITICAL AFFAIRS. IN ADDITION TO HIS CURRENT RESPONSIBILITY, HE'S PRODUCER, HOST, AND MODERATOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS TELEVISION SHOWS WHICH FEATURES COMMENTS AND COMMENTARY ON THE PEOPLE AND ISSUES OF THE DAY. THE SHOWS INCLUDE PERSONAL BEST SERIES, ELECTION SPECIALS, LOCAL TALK, WEEK IN REVIEW AND HEALTHCARE UPDATES, AMONG OTHERS. SINCE 1987, BILL HAS PRODUCED OVER 2,500 SHOWS. IN ADDITION, BILL WAS A WHITE HOUSE APPOINTEE TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT AS CHIEF OF OPERATIONS FOR THE U.S. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AS AN ASSOCIATE AND PHILANTHROPIC WORKER FOR JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER THE THIRD. TODAY WE RECOGNIZE BILL FOR HIS 15 YEARS OF LOCAL TALK ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND IT GIVES ME A GREAT DEAL OF PLEASURE TO PRESENT BILL THIS ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND MY COLLEAGUES AND ALL THE CITIZENS OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY FOR THE ONGOING INFORMATION KINDS OF SHOWS THAT HE PUTS ON. HE'S HAD US ALL IN THE HOT SEAT, HE'S HAD US AS PANELISTS, AND ALWAYS APPRECIATE HIS FAIRNESS. [ APPLAUSE ]

BILL ROSENDAHL: GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. AS YOU SAW ME RUNNING AROUND, I WAS JUST TRYING TO GET SOME GUESTS FOR MY NEXT SHOWS, YOU KNOW. [ LIGHT LAUGHTER ]

BILL ROSENDAHL: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. IT'S BEEN A JOY TO BE ABLE TO DO PROGRAMMING OF A PUBLIC SERVICE NATURE FOR THE PEOPLE IN CALIFORNIA. TELEVISION IS A VERY EMPOWERING EXPERIENCE FOR PEOPLE, AND IT DOES PROVIDE THE POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE, INFORM, AND PLUG PEOPLE INTO THE POLITICAL PROCESS, AND I'VE HAD THE JOY AND THE PRIVILEGE AND THE PLEASURE OF DOING IT, AND LIKE THE GREAT LADY THAT JUST TURNED A HUNDRED, IF IT WASN'T FOR THE GOOD LORD, I WOULDN'T BE STANDING HERE TODAY, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WITH THAT STRENGTH AND BLESSING, I'M ABLE TO CONTINUE. JOINING ME IS JOHN MONAGHAN AND MARGARET HOSHAMAN, AND JOHN, JOHN'S BEEN WITH ME 13 YEARS, AND MARGARET, NINE. WITHOUT THOSE TWO AND THE WHOLE TEAM BEHIND ME, WE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THE PROGRAMMING WE'VE DONE. AGAIN, COUNTY SUPERVISORS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS HONOR, I APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH. [ APPLAUSE ]

SUP. ANTONOVICH: LET ME SAY THAT BILL HAS ONE OF THE FAIREST PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAMS ON TELEVISION. HE PRESENTS BOTH SIDES, HE ALLOWS EVERYBODY TO STATE THEIR POSITION, AND THEN GIVE THE OPINION AND WHY AND IT'S VERY FAIR, VERY OBJECTIVE, AND WE APPRECIATE HIS LEADERSHIP IN THE MEDIA IN PROVIDING FAIRNESS.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ABSOLUTELY.

SUP. KNABE: ABSOLUTELY. I JUST WOULD ADD TOO THAT I WAS ONE OF HIS FIRST GUESTS ON ONE OF THE ORIGINAL SHOWS WHEN I WAS MAYOR OF CERRITOS, DURING THE CERRITOS AIR CRASH AND WE HAD A WHOLE ISSUE ON AIR SAFETY, AND BILL HELPED BRING US TO THE FOREFRONT, SO BILL WE APPRECIATE THAT, CONGRATULATIONS, LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU SOON, THANK YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: AND I HAD THE PLEASURE OF BEING ONE OF HIS INTERVIEWERS OVER THE YEARS WHEN I WAS NOT IN PUBLIC OFFICE, SO IT WAS GREAT FUN. IT'S ALWAYS GREAT TO WORK WITH HIM.

SUP. KNABE: NEXT I'D LIKE TO CALL FORWARD, WE HAVE SOME PRESENTATIONS FOR SOME OUTSTANDING PARTICIPATIONS, FIVE EMPLOYERS OF G.A.I.N. PARTICIPANTS. ALSO I WOULD LIKE BRYCE, THE DIRECTOR OF D.P.S.S. TO COME FORWARD AS WELL TOO. WE HAVE MARA KLUBE, REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADECO EMPLOYMENT, MARK RICHARDSON, GENERAL STORE MANAGER AT K-MART, LANA FIELDS, CALWORKS COORDINATOR AND MELINDA POLLO, HUMAN RESOURCES COORDINATOR OF PASADENA CITY COLLEGE AND TOM HORLINSON, DISTRICT MANAGER OF WAL-MART. SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WELFARE REFORM IN 1996, LOS ANGELES COUNTY'S GOAL HAS BEEN TO ASSIST PARTICIPANTS IN THE GREATER AVENUES FOR INDEPENDENCE, BETTER KNOWN AS THE G.A.I.N. PROGRAM, AND SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITIONING FROM WELFARE TO WORK. SIMPLY PUT, OUR GOAL COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MET WITHOUT SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY BUSINESS AND EDUCATION COMMUNITIES. TO DATE, OVER 42,000 WELFARE RECIPIENTS HAVE SECURED EMPLOYMENT WITH VENDOR AGENCIES WHO CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY. WITH US TODAY TO BE SPOTLIGHTED FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS ARE THE TOP FIVE EMPLOYERS OF OUR G.A.I.N. PARTICIPANTS. FIRST, WE'RE GOING TO RECOGNIZE ADECCO EMPLOYMENT AGENCY AND MARA KLUBE WHO'S ACCEPTING, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PLACEMENT OF 143 G.A.I.N. PARTICIPANTS IN JOBS. MARA? NEXT, FROM THE K-MART, AND MARK RICHARDSON ACCEPTING FOR HIRING 121 G.A.I.N. PARTICIPANTS. MARK? NEXT, TO PASADENA CITY COLLEGE BEING SANDY LINDOFOR AND DEAN ERNESTINE MOORE ACCEPTING FOR HIRING 86 G.A.I.N. PARTICIPANTS. THANK YOU. FINALLY, TO WAL-MART STORES, TOM CORNELSON, CORNEILSON, CORNELLSON, ACCEPTING FOR ITS HIRING OF 92 G.A.I.N. PARTICIPANTS.

BRYCE YOKOMIZO: AND ON BEHALF OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES, WE WANT TO JOIN THE BOARD IN RECOGNIZING OUR CORPORATE AND EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS, THEY'VE DONE A FANTASTIC JOB ON HELPING PUT OUR G.A.I.N. PARTICIPANTS TO WORK, AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THAT THEY'VE DONE FOR THE COMMUNITY. THANKS AGAIN. [ APPLAUSE ]

SUP. ANTONOVICH: MADAM CHAIRMAN, I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE QUEEN AND THE COURT FROM CHINATOWN. A WEEK AGO, THERE WAS THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAD THEIR ANNUAL DINNER AND THE SELECTION OF THE COURT, AND THIS PAST SATURDAY, THEY HAD THE LARGEST PARADE IN DOWNTOWN CHINATOWN, OF ANY PARADE I HAD BEEN IN SINCE BEING IN PUBLIC OFFICE. THEY HAD THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND -- PARTICIPATING IN THE YEAR OF THE RAM, OR YOU CAN CALL IT THE YEAR OF THE GOAT. AND TODAY, WE WOULD LIKE TO FIRST RECOGNIZE MISS FRIENDSHIP, WHO IS ESTER WONG, WHO WAS BORN IN TAIPEI, TAIWAN. SHE'S A FOURTH-YEAR STUDENT AT U.C.L.A., MAJORING IN POLITICAL SCIENCE WITH CONCENTRATIONS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, AND A MINOR IN CLASSICAL CIVILIZATIONS. SHE RECENTLY RECEIVED THE NATIONAL DEAN'S LIST AWARD, WAS HONORED AS A LIFETIME MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL POLITICAL SCIENCE HONOR SOCIETY. SHE'S A PROUD MEMBER OF THE BRUIN'S NAVIGATORS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP AT U.C.L.A., WHERE SHE IS THE EVANGELISM AND PRAYER TEAM LEADER. SHE ALSO COMPOSES BACKGROUND MUSIC FOR STUDENT FILM PROJECTS AND TEACHES CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL AT HER CHURCH. SO ESTER, MISS FRIENDSHIP, CONGRATULATIONS. [ APPLAUSE ]

SUP. ANTONOVICH: FOURTH RUNNER UP IS DERENDA WONG, WHO WAS BORN IN HACIENDA HEIGHTS. SHE'S 24 YEARS OLD, OBTAINED BOTH HER BACHELOR AND MASTER'S DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, SHE'S A NEW OFFICER OF THE ASIAN BUSINESS LEAGUE AND FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE ASIAN PROFESSIONAL EXCHANGE, CURRENTLY WORKING IN THE FIELD OF PUBLIC RELATIONS. SHE'S ALSO INVOLVED WITH MENTORING PROGRAMS AND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. SHE PLANS TO HAVE ASPIRATIONS TO BUILD AN INTERNATIONAL RECREATIONAL CENTER TO BRIDGE THE ELDERLY WITH THE YOUTH. [ APPLAUSE ]

SUP. ANTONOVICH: AND THIS YEAR'S QUEEN IS PRISCILLA TIJO, WHO WAS BORN IN MINNESOTA, RAISED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. SHE RECEIVED HER BACHELOR'S IN PSYCHO BIOLOGY IN JUNE OF 2002 FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES WHERE SHE WAS PRESIDENT OF THE BRUIN BELL SERVICE ASSOCIATION, WHICH IS THE WOMEN'S SERVICE ORGANIZATION AT THE UNIVERSITY. SHE'S CURRENTLY AN EIGHTH GRADE SCIENCE TEACHER AT EL CERINO MIDDLE SCHOOL, PLANS ON RECEIVING HER MASTER'S IN EDUCATION FROM U.C.L.A. IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR. SHE'S ALSO A FORMER MISS MONTEREY PARK AND WILL HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AS AMBASSADOR TO THE CHINESE COMMUNITY AND THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES. SO, PRISCILLA? [ APPLAUSE ]

PRISCILLA TIJO: WELL THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY THIS MORNING TO BE HERE WITH YOU TODAY. AND AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CHINESE COMMUNITY, I'D LIKE TO SAY HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR AS WE ENTER THE YEAR OF THE RAM, [ SPEAKS IN CHINESE ] AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO SAY FOR AS A TOKEN OF OUR APPRECIATION, WE HAVE BROUGHT WITH US TODAY SOME FORTUNE COOKIES AND A COPY OF THE CHINESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE YEAR BOOK, AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THE CHINESE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ]

SUP. ANTONOVICH: ON DECEMBER 7TH OF 2003, EXCUSE ME, 2002, OUR OFFICE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES HOSTED THE SIXTH ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY FOR THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY FOSTER CHILDREN AT SIX FLAGS MAGIC MOUNTAIN. THIS WAS A GREAT YEAR. WE HAD GREAT FOSTER PARENTS, VOLUNTEERS WHO WERE PROVIDED WITH THE FOOD, PRESENTS, AND HOLIDAY CHEER AND A FREE DAY INSIDE THAT THEME PARK. NOW THE SPONSORS INCLUDED SIX FLAGS MAGIC MOUNTAIN, AND WE'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THIS PROGRAM, PARTY HOMES, UNISYS, EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICE, THE STEVENSON RANCH CULTURAL LIMITED -- THEIR CULTURE TREE, NEWHALL LAND AND EDISON, WHO COLLECTED THE TOYS THROUGHOUT THEIR TOY DRIVES. SO AT THIS TIME, WE WANT TO SAY THANKS TO THESE SPONSORS, AND WE APPRECIATE THEIR PARTICIPATION IN HELPING THESE YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTY TO HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY. OUR FIRST ONE WILL GO TO PARTY HOMES. JIM? JIM, THANK YOU. AND WE HAVE MIKE SILIKOSI FROM S.B.C. NO MORE "PACIFIC BELL." FOR EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICES, PHILLIP DAVIS. JEFF STEPHENSON FROM STEPHENSON RANCH, CENTER D. TOM DIGGERMAN FROM NEWHALL LAND. MARYANNE REYES AND CHRISTINE MCCLEOD FROM EDISON. AND MARCO ROBLES IS NOT HERE. OKAY. OKAY. LET'S DO A GROUP PICTURE. FIRST, LET ME ASK MARGE KELLY TO SAY A COUPLE OF WORDS, OUR GREAT ACTING DIRECTOR.

MARJORIE KELLY: THANK YOU. I'D JUST LIKE TO ADD OUR APPRECIATION TO THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT SPONSORED THIS EVENT FOR OUR KIDS. THANKS. [ APPLAUSE ]

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: I THINK THAT -- DOES THAT -- OH, WE DON'T, YOU HAVE...

SUP. ANTONOVICH: THIS MORNING, WE'D LIKE TO WELCOME I.B.M. CORPORATE RELATIONS MANAGER, BILL BROWN, AND THE I.B.M. STORAGE SYSTEMS MANAGER, MICHELLE MARTIN, THE I.B.M. PROJECT MANAGER KEN BARNETT, AND CINDY COCHRAN, THE I.B.M CLIENT REPRESENTIVE FOR GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS WHO ARE HERE TO JOIN IN DECLARING THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 9TH AS BLACK FAMILY TECHNOLOGY AND AWARENESS WEEK. WITH I.B.M. SERVING AS THE LEAD CORPORATE SPONSOR FOR THE FOURTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR, BLACK FAMILY TECHNOLOGY AWARENESS WEEK FOCUSES ON THE IMPORTANCE OF TECHNOLOGY IN EVERYDAY LIFE WHICH LEADS TO A BETTER EDUCATION, MORE CAREER OPTIONS AND A LIMITLESS FUTURE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. THE ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE COUNTY WILL UNITE FAMILIES, CHURCHES, CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS, AND INDIVIDUALS TO HELP PLAN AND FUND ACTIVITIES THAT INCREASE ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY. SO NOW THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAS DECLARED THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 9TH THROUGH THE 15TH AS BLACK FAMILY TECHNOLOGY AWARENESS WEEK THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND COMMEND I.B.M. FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THEIR FOURTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR IN THE SPONSORSHIP OF THIS PROGRAM. [ APPLAUSE ]

WILLIAM BROWN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SUPERVISOR. IT'S A PLEASURE FOR US TO BE HERE TODAY AND ACTUALLY THIS WEEK, WE HAVE 10 EVENTS GOING ON ALL ACROSS THE CITY AND THE COUNTY, AND WHICH WE'RE TRYING TO FOCUS ON BRINGING ATTENTION TO THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY. WE ALSO DO THE SAME THING IN OCTOBER FOR THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY ALSO, THE EVENTS WE DO ARE CALLED LA FAMILIA. BUT WE WILL BE AT NINE DIFFERENT HIGH SCHOOLS THIS WEEK, WE'LL BE DEMONSTRATING TECHNOLOGY THAT IS PERVASIVE, THAT'S COMING TO ALL OF OUR HOMES IN THE FUTURE, AND THE POINT OF THIS IS TO CONTINUE TO EMPHASIZE TO THE KIDS TO CONTINUE IN SCHOOL, TO GET THEIR EDUCATION, TO GO ON TO COLLEGE AND HOPEFULLY TO BECOME COMFORTABLE WITH THIS TECHNOLOGY AND ALSO EVENTUALLY MAYBE EVEN BECOME I.B.M.ERS LIKE US. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR RECOGNIZING US TODAY. [ APPLAUSE ]

SUP. ANTONOVICH: NOW, PHIL BROWNING, OUR DIRECTOR OF THE L.A. COUNTY CHILD SUPPORT SYSTEM WILL JOIN ME. WE ARE GOING TO COMMEND THE MEMBERS OF THE STAFF WHO, UPON RECEIVING AN EMERGENCY REQUEST FROM THE GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS' OFFICE, ASSISTED IN THE COLLECTION OF A $109,000 CHILD SUPPORT CASE. LAWRENCE SILVERMAN, THE DIVISION CHIEF OF THE INTERNATIONAL DIVISION OF THE CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY WAS INFORMED THAT A CUSTODIAL PARENT IN MASSACHUSETTS HAD JUST LEARNED THAT THE FATHER OF HER CHILDREN WAS IN THE PROCESS OF SELLING THE MALIBU HOME THAT THEY RESIDED IN. LARRY QUICKLY HAD FAMILY SUPPORT OFFICER ADRIENNE HORBATH EXPEDITE THE PROCESSING OF THE FORM REGISTRATION. WHEN THE INTERSTATE LIEN WAS REJECTED BY THE REGISTRAR RECORDER'S OFFICE BECAUSE THE LIEN WAS NOT IN THE USUAL FORM, THE STAFF ATTORNEY, SHEILA LEBOWITZ, CONTACTED L.A. COUNTY COUNCIL AND CONVINCED THEM THAT THE LIEN WAS APPROPRIATE, ALLOWING THE LIEN TO BE RECORDED. ONCE SHEILA NEGOTIATED THIS, THE $109,000 WITH THE FATHER'S ATTORNEY, FAMILY SUPPORT OFFICER, TANAKA HENDERSON, PROCESSED THE DEMAND TO THE ESCROW COMPANY AND V.I.P. SUPERVISING FAMILY SUPPORT OFFICER, ROYLINE ORLANA, MADE ALL OF THE ACCOUNTING ENTRIES INTO A.R.S. CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES' AUTOMATIC SYSTEM. SO AT THIS TIME, ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, WE WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND THE STAFF FOR HELPING THAT LITTLE CHILD RECEIVE THE FUNDS THAT THEY WERE ENTITLED TO SO THEY CAN HELP WITH THEIR EDUCATION AND GETTING THEIR LIFE BACK TO NORMAL. SO LARRY? THERE YOU GO, CONGRATULATIONS. [ APPLAUSE ]

LAWRENCE SILVERMAN: SUPERVISORS, I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THIS HONOR. IT REALLY EXEMPLIFIES THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION THAT OUR STAFF PUT FORTH EVERY DAY ON BEHALF OF THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY TO SEE TO IT THAT CHILDREN THAT ARE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE SUPPORT RECEIVE THE SUPPORT DUE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: ADRIENNE, LET ME GIVE YOU YOUR SCROLL.

LAWRENCE SILVERMAN: I REALLY DO APPRECIATE THE BOARD RECOGNIZING OUR STAFF. THIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF THE ALMOST TWO THOUSAND EMPLOYEES WHO COLLECTED ALMOST HALF A BILLION DOLLARS LAST YEAR, AND I REALLY DO APPRECIATE ALL THE BOARD SUPERVISORS FOR TAKING THIS TIME, IT REALLY DOES MEAN A LOT TO OUR STAFF. THANK YOU.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: AND WE APPRECIATE THE GOOD MANAGEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT, VERY, VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT. ONE OTHER, IS A LITTLE CORGI MIX, RUDY, THIS IS LITTLE RUDY, HE HAD A FAN WHO PLAYED FOR NOTRE DAME, MADE A MOVIE ABOUT HIM. RUDY IS SIX MONTHS OLD SO YOU CAN SEE RUDY IS A BIG BOY. OKAY. ANYBODY WHO'D LIKE TO ADOPT RUDY WHO'S WATCHING AT HOME ON TELEVISION CAN CALL 562-728-4644, OR ANYBODY IN THE AUDIENCE WHO'D LIKE TO ADOPT RUDY, HE'S LOOKING FOR A HOME. OKAY, SO LITTLE RUDY IS LOOKING FOR A HOME.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: SUPERVISOR MOLINA, DO YOU HAVE ANY PRESENTATIONS? NO?

SUP. ANTONOVICH: THAT'S ALL.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT. THEN I'LL GO ON WITH THE AGENDA. I MOVE THAT WHEN WE ADJOURN TODAY WE ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF REVEREND DR. VERDEL LEE BRENSON, PASTOR OF THE BRYANT TEMPLE AIMIE CHURCH IN LOS ANGELES. HE WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR HIS 33 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP AND OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY. HE'S SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE OF 51 YEARS, CLINTINE, MAMA BRENSON AND TWO DAUGHTERS, BEVERLY BRENSON-PAYNE AND VERDELLA MCCLOYNE. AND W. NELSON TALBOT, LONG-TIME RESIDENT OF THE SECOND DISTRICT AND BALUN VISTA AREA. HE WAS A RETIRED EDUCATOR WITH L.A.U.S.D. HE'S SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE, SHERRY TALBOT, AND HIS SON OLIVER TALBOT. AND WILLIS DUFFY, WHO I'LL GET THE INFORMATION TO YOU LATER WITH ALL THE DETAILS OF -- FOR MR. DUFFY. HIS FUNERAL WAS LAST SATURDAY. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE HOLD BY MRS. CLAVREUL HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN ON ITEM NUMBER 20, SO MOVED BY KNABE, SECONDED BY YAROSLAVSKY. THE ITEM 20 IS ADOPTED. AND ON ITEM 50, MOVED BY MOLINA, SECONDED BY KNABE. WITHOUT OBJECTION, ITEM 50 IS ADOPTED. I'LL NOW CALL ITEM 8. OH, I'LL WAIT FOR... SOMEONE WAS HOLDING ITEM 8? HAROLD COLLINS WAS HOLDING 8?

HAROLD COLLINS: GOOD MORNING, MADAM PRESIDENT. MY NAME IS HAROLD COLLINS. MY WIFE IS KAREN JILL COLLINS. WE'VE LIVED IN THE CITY OF DIAMOND BARK FOR PROBABLY 27 YEARS. MY SON, GENE COLLINS, WAS MURDERED MARCH THE 23RD AT 2:30 IN THE MORNING. I WANTED TO COME DOWN PERSONALLY AND THANK SUPERVISOR KNABE AND THE REMAINDER OF THE BOARD FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION ON ITEM 8. YOU GUYS DO A LOT OF THINGS, GREAT THINGS ON THE BOARD, AND YOU DON'T ALWAYS GET THANKED FOR WHAT YOU DO. AND WE, MY WIFE AND I FELT THAT AT LEAST WITH THIS ITEM, YOU DESERVED A THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: SUPERVISOR KNABE.

SUP. KNABE: THANK YOU. I'LL MOVE THE ITEM. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO COME DOWN.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED BY KNABE, MOVED BY KNABE, SECONDED BY MOLINA. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. ITEM 32. THIS IS HELD BY -- FOR THE BOARD. COULD WE ASK THAT THE DEPARTMENT COME FORWARD. WE HAVE ONE PERSON WHO HAS ASKED TO SPEAK ON THIS, MARY JO MAXWELL. AS THE DEPARTMENT IS COMING FORWARD -- DO WE HAVE SOMEONE FROM THE LIBRARY HERE AND FROM PUBLIC WORKS?

SUP. KNABE: I THINK MR. BELL, I'LL SIGN FOR THAT, YOU SIGN UP UNDER -- THIS IS -- MADAM CHAIR? I THINK IT WAS --

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: WE HAVE TO HAVE 58 FIRST, BUT WE CAN HEAR THEM AT THE SAME TIME.

SUP. KNABE: ALL RIGHT.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: WE'LL HAVE 58 AND 32.

SUP. KNABE: THE SAME ITEM BASICALLY.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

SPEAKER: GOOD MORNING.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: I'M SORRY, MADAM CHAIR. THESE ARE HEARING ITEMS, AND MAY I SWEAR THEM IN?

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: CERTAINLY. [ ADMINISTERING OATH ]

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: WOULD ALL THE PEOPLE WHO PLAN TO TESTIFY ON THIS WHO I HAVE CARDS, WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND? RUSSELL BELL, TOM AROY. ON THIS AND 58. ANYONE WHO'S TESTIFYING ON 58 AS WELL, PLEASE STAND, TO BE SWORN. ALL RIGHT. DO YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR YOU'LL TELL THE TRUTH -- THEY'VE ALREADY BEEN SWORN. THE OTHER PEOPLE -- ANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO NEED TO BE SWORN? OKAY.

MARY JO MAXWELL: GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MARY JO MAXWELL. I RESIDE AT 20068 EMERALD MEADOW DRIVE IN WALNUT, THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF ROWLAND HEIGHTS. I'M A 38-YEAR RESIDENT OF THE AREA. I'VE SERVED ON THE ROWLAND SCHOOL BOARD FOR 18 YEARS, AND I'M FIRST VICE PRESIDENT OF THE ROWLAND HEIGHTS COMMUNITY COORDINATING COUNCIL. AND I'M HERE TO STRONGLY SUPPORT YOUR APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE EAST SAN GABRIEL VALLEY REGIONAL LIBRARY. WE BEGAN WORKING FOR LIBRARIES IN OUR AREA IN THE '60S WITH THE URGING OF A BOOK MOBILE ROUTE. WE THEN ENJOYED THAT SO MUCH, WE ASKED FOR A STOREFRONT, AND ONE OF OUR WOMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN SEEKING THAT STOREFRONT AND WE ARE -- WE WERE THRILLED THAT THE CURRENT ROWLAND HEIGHTS LIBRARY SURVIVED THE PROP 13 CUTS AND WAS THE LAST ONE ON THE DRAWING BOARD BUILT IN 1969. THIS LIBRARY IS WOEFULLY SMALL, BUT YET IT IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST-VOLUME USAGE LIBRARIES IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY. TWO SCHOOL DISTRICTS, ROWLAND UNIFIED AND HACIENDA LA PUENTA UNIFIED, HAVE BOTH SIGNED THE JOINT USE AGREEMENT. AND YOUR APPROVAL WOULD FACILITATE USAGE AND ARTICULATION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS FOR ABOUT 40,000 STUDENTS IN BOTH COMMUNITIES, AS WELL AS ADJOINING COMMUNITY OF LA HABRA HEIGHTS. AT THIS TIME, WE FEEL THE BEST LOCATION FOR THIS REGIONAL LIBRARY IS IN SHABARHAM REGIONAL PARK. IT HAS CONVENIENT ACCESS FROM FREEWAYS AND BUSES AS WELL AS KLEEMER ROAD, EXCUSE ME, A MAIN THOROUGHFARE. IN THIS DAY AND AGE OF TECHNOLOGY AND ELECTRONICS, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE PRESERVE THE WRITTEN WORD. BOOKS FOR OUR CHILDREN, READING BOOKS WILL NEVER BE REPLACED BY LOOKING AT A COMPUTER SCREEN. WE STRONGLY URGE YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS APPLICATION FOR THE EAST SAN GABRIEL VALLEY REGIONAL LIBRARY. THANK YOU.

SUP. KNABE: THANK YOU, MARY JO.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME.

RUSSELL BELL: HONORABLE SUPERVISORS, GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS RUSSELL BELL. I AM PRESIDENT OF THE ROWLAND HEIGHTS COMMUNITY COORDINATING COUNCIL AND SERVED ON THE LIBRARY NEEDS ASSESSMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE. AND I AM PRESENT HERE TODAY TO TESTIFY IN FAVOR OF CONSENT ITEM 32 AND ITEM 38, THE PLAN AMENDMENT AND OAK TREE PERMIT REGARDING EAST SAN GABRIEL VALLEY REGIONAL LIBRARY. THERE ARE AN EXTREMELY LIMITED NUMBER OF CHANGES WHICH ADVERSELY AFFECT TRAFFIC AND TREE REMOVAL IN ROWLAND HEIGHTS THAT THE COMMUNITY WOULD FAVOR. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE FEW. THE COMMUNITY HAS, HOWEVER, EXPRESSED CONCERNS REGARDING TRAFFIC IN THE ROWLAND HEIGHTS AREA. IT IS ALREADY BEYOND WHAT THE STREETS, ARTERIALS, AND FREEWAYS WERE APPARENTLY DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT JUST TO TRAVEL WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AT ANY TIME DURING THE DAY OR EVENING HOURS. WE WOULD THEREFORE ASK THAT YOU GIVE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO THE TRAFFIC. WE WOULD ALSO ASK THAT YOU PLEASE GIVE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO THE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF ALL TREES, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF OAK. WE HAVE ALREADY HAD DEVELOPMENTS IN ROWLAND HEIGHTS THAT PROMISED HUNDREDS OF OAK TREES -- OR THAT REMOVED HUNDREDS OF OAK TREES WITH PROMISES OF MULTIPLE REPLACEMENTS. THESE TREES MUST HAVE BEEN PLANTED ELSEWHERE, FOR WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE FIRST ONE. ROWLAND HEIGHTS HAS A SECOND HIGHEST-USAGE LIBRARY IN THE COUNTY. IT IS PROBABLE THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE FIRST HAD IT MORE PARKING AREA AND MORE ROOM. THE ADDITION OF THE EAST SAN GABRIEL VALLEY REGIONAL LIBRARY IS MORE THAN WELCOME IN THE COMMUNITY. WE DO ASK THAT YOU APPROVE THESE ITEMS TO ALLOW THE LIBRARY. WE ALSO ASK THAT YOU PROVIDE CONTINUED -- PROVIDE FOR A CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE EXISTING ROWLAND HEIGHTS LIBRARY AND HACIENDA HEIGHTS LIBRARY WITHOUT ANY REDUCTION OF THE HOURS OF OPERATION OR THE SERVICES OFFERED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU.

SUP. KNABE: THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN, RUSS.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: TOM BARRON.

RICHARD WEISS, COUNSEL: MADAM CHAIR, I WOULD RECOMMEND AT THIS POINT THAT YOUR BOARD ACTUALLY FORMALLY CALL ITEM 58, AND THEN YOU CAN DEEM THE TESTIMONY THAT'S BEEN RECEIVED SO FAR ON 32 AS ALSO APPLYING TO ITEM 58.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT. WE WILL CALL ITEM 58, AND ALL THE TESTIMONY THAT'S BEEN GIVEN ON 58 WILL BE -- ON 32 WILL BE DEEMED PART OF 58, AND I BELIEVE THAT AT LEAST ONE OF THE SPEAKERS MENTIONED THAT. FOR NUMBER 58, WE DID HAVE ONE ADDITIONAL PERSON, TOM BARRON, BUT I DON'T SEE HIM COMING FORWARD.

SUP. KNABE: I WOULD MOVE THE PUBLIC HEARING BE CLOSED.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED BY YAROSLAVSKY THAT THE PUBLIC HEARING BE CLOSED AND THAT THE ITEM BE APPROVED. MOVED BY KNABE, SECONDED BY YAROSLAVSKY. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. THAT'S ON 32 NOW.

RICHARD WEISS, COUNSEL: THAT WAS ON 58 FIRST. THAT WOULD BE OUR PREFERENCE AND THEN ON ITEM 32.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ON 58, YES.

SUP. KNABE: AND THEN I MOVE ITEM 32.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: IT'S MOVED BY KNABE ON 32 THAT THEY, AND THAT THIS IS NOT A HEARING, IT'S JUST MOVED THAT THE ITEM BE APPROVED. SECONDED BY ANTONOVICH, WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

SUP. KNABE: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, MARY JO AND RUSSELL FOR COMING DOWN. I APPRECIATE IT.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ITEM 57. NOW THIS IS FOR A REPORT BY ACTING DIRECTOR. WE ALREADY APPROVED THAT. WHILE SHE'S COMING FORWARD, WE CAN CALL 59-D, AND THAT WAS HELD FOR STAN JONES AND OTHERS. OH IT'S A WHOLE BUNCH OF PEOPLE HUH, 59-D. WE'RE CALLING 59-D. OH NO, HERE SHE IS. WELL, I'LL GO ON. HERE'S -- MISS KELLY IS HERE, SO WE'LL GO ON WITH 57, THEN WE'LL CALL 59-D IMMEDIATELY AFTER SHE GIVES HER REPORT. WE WANT TO TELL YOU HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR WORK AND YOU REALLY MADE A DENT AND MADE A CHANGE IN OUR DEPARTMENT. WE WANT TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MARJORIE KELLY: I APPRECIATE THAT. THIS HAS BEEN A PLEASURE FOR ME. I HAVE ENJOYED THIS. FOR THE RECORD, I'M MARJORIE KELLY, INTERIM DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES. I AM HERE THIS MORNING TO SPEAK ON THE FEDERAL CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES REVIEW AND TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE REVIEW, THE REVIEW PROCESS, AND THE STATE RESULTS. THE OMNIBUS BUDGET RECONCILIATION ACT OF 1993 PROVIDED ENHANCED FUNDING FOR AUTOMATED CHILD WELFARE SYSTEMS IN THE COUNTRY. IN CALIFORNIA, WE DEVELOPED THE C.M.S. SYSTEM AND COMPLETED OUR INFORMATION SYSTEM IN 1998. FOLLOWING THAT, THE ADOPTION AND SAFE FAMILIES ACT OF 1997 DIRECTED HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO DEVELOP A SET OF OUTCOME MEASURES FOR ASSESSING STATE PERFORMANCE IN CHILD WELFARE SERVICES USING THE AUTOMATED DATA SYSTEMS. THE FEDERAL RULES REGARDING THE FAMILY SERVICES STATE REVIEWS WERE PROMULGATED AND BECAME EFFECTIVE IN MARCH OF 2000. IN CALIFORNIA, THE FEDERAL REVIEW BEGAN IN FEBRUARY OF 2000 AND WAS COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER WITH AN ON-SITE REVIEW. A TOTAL OF 49 CASES WERE REVIEWED IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. 24 OF THOSE WERE IN LOS ANGELES, THE REST WERE SPLIT BETWEEN SAN STANISLAUS AND SAN MATEO COUNTY. ABOUT 175 STAKEHOLDERS WERE INTERVIEWED IN THESE THREE COUNTIES AND THE FINAL FEDERAL REPORT WAS SENT TO THE STATE JANUARY 10TH OF THIS YEAR. THE FEDERAL REVIEW EXAMINED SEVEN OUTCOMES AND SEVEN SYSTEMIC FACTORS. CALIFORNIA WAS FOUND IN CONFORMITY WITH TWO OF THE SEVEN SYSTEMIC FACTORS AND ACHIEVED CONFORMITY IN NONE OF THE OUTCOME FACTORS, THOSE OUTCOMES COVERED SAFETY CHILD WELL BEING AND PERMANENCE. HOWEVER, THE STATE DID ACHIEVE 89.6%, 88%, 85.1%, AND 81.1% IN FOUR OF THE SEVEN OUTCOME AREAS, MEANING THEY WERE WITHIN A FRACTION OF A PERCENTAGE OF SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE IN FOUR OF THE OUTCOME AREAS. THE STATE IS REQUIRED TO ADDRESS WITHIN 90 DAYS EACH OUTCOME AND SYSTEMIC FACTOR NOT IN SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE OR CONFORMANCE THROUGH WHAT WE CALL A PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT OR A P.I.P. PLAN. SHOULD THAT P.I.P. PLAN NOT BE FILED, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MAY IMPOSE A PENALTY OF $18 MILLION, A PROPORTION OF THE 4-B AND 4-E ALLOCATIONS TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. NONE OF THIS PENALTY WOULD OR COULD BE ASSESSED TO ANY COUNTY IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AND CERTAINLY ANY ATTEMPT ON THE PART OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO WITHHOLD FUNDS COULD AND CERTAINLY WOULD BE APPEALED BY THE STATE DUE TO SUBSTANTIAL PROBLEMS WITH THE FEDERAL REVIEW PROCESS, WHICH I WILL TALK ABOUT IN A MOMENT. THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AT THIS TIME DOES NOT HAVE A METHOD IN PLACE TO ASSESS PROPORTIONATE SHARES OF DISALLOWANCES IN THE MAJOR CHILD WELFARE FUNDING AREAS. THE REVIEW HAS -- THE FEDERAL REVIEW PROCESS HAS COME UNDER SOME CONSIDERABLE CRITICISM, PARTICULARLY BY THE MAJOR SCHOOLS OF SOCIAL WORK AND THEIR RESEARCH STAFF BECAUSE OF FLAWS IDENTIFIED IN THE RESEARCH DESIGN. CERTAINLY ANY PENALTY THAT THE FEDS WOULD TRY TO IMPOSE UPON THE STATE WOULD BE SUBJECT TO APPEAL BY THE STATE DUE TO THE FLAWS IN THE RESEARCH DESIGN. I WILL PAUSE AT THIS POINT AND ASK IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: LET ME ASK, WHEN I BROUGHT FORTH THE MOTION BACK IN JANUARY ON THIS ISSUE, WAS TO FIND OUT HOW THIS AUDIT OF THE STATE IS GOING TO NOW TRICKLE DOWN TO THE COUNTY AND HOW THE COUNTY SHOULD ADDRESS THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW OUR PROCEDURES AND ARE THERE ANY AREAS THAT WE OUGHT TO BE CONCENTRATING ON THAT WOULD IMPROVE THE SYSTEM, AND IF THERE ARE, WHAT TYPE OF TIME LINE ARE YOU SUGGESTING WE BE INVOLVED WITH?

MARJORIE KELLY: YES. ACTUALLY, THE AREAS THAT THE COUNTY SHOULD BE CONCENTRATING ON ARE THE AREAS THAT THIS DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN TALKING WITH THE SUPERVISORS ABOUT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, AND THAT IS PARTICULARLY THE AREAS OF PERMANENCE. THE STATE ACTUALLY SCORED RATHER WELL IN CHILD SAFETY, MISSING COMPLIANCE BY LITERALLY TENTHS OF A PERCENT. THE LOWEST STATE SCORES WERE IN THE AREA OF PERMANENCE, AND CERTAINLY THAT IS AN ISSUE IN LOS ANGELES, WHERE WE HAVE CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN IN LONG-TERM FOSTER CARE. IT CERTAINLY IS IN OUR INTEREST AND THE INTEREST OF THE CHILDREN TO CONTINUE TO AGGRESSIVELY PURSUE PERMANENCE. ONE OF THE RESEARCH FLAWS IN THE REVIEW IS THAT WHEN STATES AGGRESSIVELY PURSUE PERMANENCE FOR CHILDREN IN LONG-TERM FOSTER CARE, THEIR SCORES ON THE FEDERAL REVIEW GO DOWN, AND THAT IS BECAUSE THE FEDERAL REVIEW, THIS IS ONE OF THE RESEARCH DESIGN FLAWS, FEDERAL REVIEW COUNTS WHETHER OR NOT YOU'RE IN COMPLIANCE WITH 24 MONTHS FROM THE INITIATION OF FOSTER CARE TO ADOPTION. WELL, IF YOU DO YOUR JOB, YOUR DUE DILIGENCE JOB, AND ADOPT CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN IN CARE FOR, SAY, FIVE YEARS, IT WILL DRIVE DOWN YOUR SCORE BECAUSE THE CHILDREN YOU'RE ADOPTING WILL SHOW UP IN THE FEDERAL REVIEW AS LONGER THAN TWO YEARS. SO THERE ARE SOME QUIRKS IN THE DESIGN THAT WHEN YOU DO DO THE JOB YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO, YOU'LL GET A LOWER SCORE INSTEAD OF A HIGHER SCORE. BUT CERTAINLY PERMANENCE IS THE NUMBER ONE AREA FOR US TO FOCUS ON.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: AND AGAIN, WHEN WE DISCUSSED THIS ISSUE WITH YOU AND DAVID SAUNDERS LAST WEEK, THIS WAS AN ISSUE THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO FOCUS ON AND STREAMLINE.

MARJORIE KELLY: YES.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: BUT I WOULD SUGGEST THAT PERHAPS WE COMMUNICATE TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHEN THEY DO FUTURE AUDITS THAT THEY OUGHT TO REVISE THEIR GRADING TO ENSURE THAT THE OUTCOME IS GETTING THESE CHILDREN IN PERMANENT HOMES AND IT'S GOING TO REWARD EFFORTS IN DOING THAT INSTEAD OF ACTING AS A DISINCENTIVE, SO PERHAPS WHEN WE ACCEPT THIS REPORT, WE COULD SUGGEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT SEND SUCH A LETTER OR THE BOARD CAN SEND -- THE DEPARTMENT CAN DRAFT A LETTER AND WE CAN SEND IT TO THE SECRETARY.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT. IT'S RECEIVED IN FILE WITH THE SUGGESTION.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: FILE WITH A LETTER BE SENT BY THE BOARD.

MARJORIE KELLY: WE WILL DO THAT.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE GOOD JOB.

MARJORIE KELLY: THANK YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: WE'LL NOW TAKE UP ITEM 59-D. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ASKED TO SPEAK. WE'LL ASK THEM EACH TO COME UP. STAN JONES, DON DE HARDEN -- OR DE JORDIN, DR. HESHAM RAGB, AND TIM GALLAGHER. WOULD YOU PLEASE COME FORWARD? AND DO WE NEED ANOTHER CHAIR THERE? THERE. OKAY. AND TIM CAN SIT OVER AT THE SIDE. TIM CAN SIT OVER ON THIS SIDE. ALL RIGHT. YES. MR. JONES, COULD YOU STATE YOUR NAME.

STAN JONES: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR AND TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. MY NAME IS STAN JONES, AND I'M A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LOMA ALTA COMMUNITY COMMITTEE. WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH IN PARTICULAR FOR THE GREAT EFFORTS THAT YOU'VE GONE TO TO GET US A QUALITY FACILITY IN OUR PARK. WE WANT A QUALITY FACILITY AND WE WANT IT NOW. WE WANT A GYMNASIUM. ITEM 59-D, AS WE UNDERSTAND IT, IS REFERENCING OUR PROJECT, BUT IT'S ENCOMPASSING MUCH LARGER THAN JUST THE GYMNASIUM RECREATION FACILITY. WE'RE ASKING YOU TO DELAY YOUR VOTE ON THIS ITEM BECAUSE THERE'S AN AUDIT THAT IS TO BEGIN TOMORROW THAT WE BELIEVE MIGHT IMPACT ON YOUR DECISION, FUNDS THAT MAY BECOME AVAILABLE, OTHER ISSUES THAT MIGHT IMPACT ON THIS PROJECT. THIS AUDIT IS HOPEFULLY A 30-DAY AUDIT AND IT WOULD GIVE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, WE BELIEVE, FOR YOU TO CONSIDER IN YOUR APPROVAL OF THE PROGRAM. WE ARE A COMMUNITY OF 42,000 PEOPLE PLUS, AND WE'RE THE LARGEST TOWN IN SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH'S FIFTH DISTRICT. WE HAVE OVER 90% OF THE GROUP HOMES THAT ARE IN THE ALTADENA AREA. WE'VE PREPARED A PACKET, AND I BELIEVE YOU'VE BEEN PASSED OUT A PACKET AND JUST DONE JUST A COUPLE OF SHOW-AND-TELL ITEMS FOR YOU. THE ONE ITEM WITH THE GREEN ITEMS NUMBERED 14522, THESE ARE GROUP HOMES IN OUR AREA THAT THE ALTADENA LOMA ALTA PARK SERVES. WE FEEL THAT THIS PARK HAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THE EFFORTS THAT YOU'VE PUT INTO ESTABLISHING GROUP HOMES AND PUTTING THESE IN COMMUNITIES THAT CAN SERVE THEM WELL. THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO MAKE THIS PROGRAM REALLY WORK IF WE HAVE THE RIGHT FACILITY IN THE RIGHT LOCATION, AND THAT'S THE THEME OF OUR COMMENTS TO YOU TODAY. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR OVER TWO YEARS. WE WERE OFFERED A GYM WHICH WE FELT WAS AN INFERIOR FACILITY IN AN INFERIOR LOCATION. WE FELT THAT THE FACILITY WAS NOT GOING TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS OF THE LOMA ALTA COMMUNITY, NOR THE GROUP HOMES, NOR THE CHILDREN, AND WE FELT IT WAS GOING TO IMPACT ADVERSELY ON OUR PARK. WE FELT THAT IT WAS GOING TO TAKE AWAY INDEED FROM WHAT OUR PARK IS ALREADY ACCOMPLISHING. THE GYMNASIUM FACILITY THAT WE WERE OFFERED WAS -- IT WAS WORKABLE IN CERTAIN AREAS, BUT IT JUST -- IT WAS NOT RIGHT FOR OUR COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION TO THE FACILITY, THE LOCATION OF THE FACILITY WE FEEL IS BUILDING IN PROBLEMS THAT ARE GOING TO COME BACK AND PERHAPS HAUNT US IN THE FUTURE. THE FACILITY THAT IS BEING PROPOSED TO US RIGHT NOW IS GOING TO BE DOWNHILL FROM OUR CHILDREN'S AREA, IT WILL BE PLACED DIRECTLY ON TOP OF THE TWO OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURTS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR PARK NOW, AND THOSE TWO BASKETBALL COURTS WOULD BE REPLACED BY ONE INDOOR BASKETBALL COURT THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE SUPERVISED, OF COURSE, ALL THE TIME. WE HAD BUDGET ISSUES THAT PLAGUED OUR PROJECT, AND WE'VE HAD MONEYS ADDED BY THE SUPERVISOR AND JAN TEKOTA AND OTHERS HAVE DISCOVERED ADDITIONAL FUNDS THAT HAVE TAKEN OUR BUDGET FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $1.9 MILLION UP TO ABOUT 5 AND A MILLION DOLLARS. WE BELIEVE WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY HERE TO PUT A QUALITY FACILITY IN THE RIGHT LOCATION IN OUR PARK THAT WILL NOT CAUSE US TO LOSE OUR OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURTS, WILL NOT CAUSE US TO LOSE OUR BASEBALL DIAMOND, OUR BASEBALL DIAMOND, AS WE UNDERSTAND IT, WILL BE IMPACTED BY THE LOCATION OF THIS GYM TO WHERE OUR BASEBALL DIAMOND WILL BE TURNED INTO WHAT YOU MIGHT CONSIDER A BASEBALL COURT. I'VE OFFERED A COUPLE OF OTHER PICTURES HERE. THE FIRST PICTURE, ITEM 9, SHOWS THE GYM FACILITY THAT WE WERE OFFERED, AND ITEM 11 SHOWS THE GYMNASIUM, RECREATION FACILITY THAT WE WERE REQUESTING A MODEL ONLY, THIS IS A MODEL OF WHAT WE'RE REQUESTING, AND IT HOUSES THE GYMNASIUM FACILITY AND AN OFFICE STRUCTURE AND THE COMMUNITY ROOMS THAT ARE NECESSARY FOR THIS PARK. ITEM 16 SHOWS YOU A PICTURE OF A STAGE THAT'S ASSOCIATED WITH THE GYMNASIUM THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR THE COMMUNITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THIS PARK WOULD ALLOW, AND ITEM 22 SHOWS A PICTURE OF THE FACILITY AND THE PROXIMITY OF THE CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA. THE FACILITY WE'RE BEING OFFERED RIGHT NOW, AS WE UNDERSTAND IT, IS GOING TO BE REMOVED SOME 100 YARDS FROM WHERE THE CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA WILL BE. IT WILL ALSO BE LOCATED DOWNHILL FROM THE CHILDREN'S AREA. SO WE'RE ASKING FOR YOU TO DELAY YOUR VOTE ON THIS UNTIL WE CAN GET THE RESULTS OF THIS AUDIT BACK AND ALLOW US THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SOME INPUT INTO THE LOCATION AND INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS FACILITY. SEVERAL OTHER MEMBERS OF MY COMMITTEE DO HAVE COMMENTS THEY WOULD LIKE TO MAKE, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION, DOCTOR.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT. WE'LL HAVE MELANIE HARRY TAKE YOUR PLACE THERE AT THE TABLE. YES, SIR. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME.

DON DE JORDIN: GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS DON DE JORDIN. I'M A RESIDENT OF WEST ALTADENA. I PRESENTLY HAVE GRANDCHILDREN THAT ARE PLAYING IN THE LITTLE LEAGUE AT LOMA ALTA PARK. IN ADDITION, I HAVE EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE IN BASKETBALL. I WAS AN INVITEE AS A PLAYER TO THE U.S. BASKETBALL OLYMPIC TRIALS. I'VE BEEN THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE PHILADELPHIA 76ERS, AND I HAVE REPRESENTED OVER 500 PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES IN THEIR CAREERS. BY VIRTUE OF THIS BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE, I FEEL I HAVE A VERY GOOD FEEL FOR THE IMPACT BASKETBALL, SPORTS CAN HAVE ON VARIOUS SITUATIONS. I WANT TO ADDRESS THIS MORNING THE OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURTS AT LOMA ALTA PARK. I HAVE A VERY BRIEF STATEMENT. WITH THE ACUTE SHORTAGE OF INDOOR BASKETBALL FACILITIES IN THE AREA, IT CAN BE FORECAST WITH VIRTUAL CERTAINTY THAT DURING THE NEW GYM'S PRINCIPAL HOURS OF BASKETBALL ACTIVITY, IT WILL BE USED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY FOR AREA LEAGUES. THIS WOULD BE MALE AND FEMALE, WHICH START FROM AGE 7 AND IT WOULD INCLUDE THOSE PLAYERS THAT ARE 30 YEARS OLD-PLUS. THE NEW GYM IS INTENDED TO BE LOCATED ON THE SITE OF THE EXISTING OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURTS WHERE NON-LEAGUE, FREELANCE INDIVIDUALS CURRENTLY PLAY ALONE OR IN ANY COMBINATION UP TO 10 TO 12 PLAYERS PER COURT. NO ALTERNATIVE LOCATION IS PROVIDED FOR THE OUTDOOR COURTS. NOT LONG AGO, LOMA ALTA PARK WAS A MAGNET FOR DRUG DEALING, GANGS, AND OTHER CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. TREMENDOUS AND EFFECTIVE COORDINATED EFFORTS HAVE MADE IT A JEWEL OF WEST ALTADENA. THE VERY VISIBLE USE OF THE OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURTS IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS TRANSFORMATION. IT IS REQUESTED THAT SERIOUS CONSIDERATION BE GIVEN BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO EITHER LOCATING THE NEW GYM SO THAT THE OUTDOOR COURTS ARE MAINTAINED AS IS, OR ANOTHER LOCATION FOR OUTDOOR COURTS BE INCLUDED IN THE REDESIGN OF LOMA ALTA PARK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, AND WE CALL NANCY ANDERSON TO COME UP. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

HESHAM RABG: HI. MY NAME IS HESHAM RAGB. I'M A PEDIATRICIAN, I ALSO LIVE IN WEST ALTADENA, AND I AM FREQUENT USER OF THE PARK. MY WIFE, HOPE SMITH, WAS HERE, SHE HAD TO LEAVE. HER FAMILY'S BEEN IN ROOTED IN ALTADENA FOR OVER 30 YEARS. SHE HAD A STATEMENT, I'M JUST GOING TO READ A SHORT PARAGRAPH FROM IT. "DEAR BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, WITH THE LOCATION OF THE NEW GYM, THERE ARE SOME CONCERNS REGARDING THE SAFETY AND SUPERVISION OF OUR CHILDREN," AND I'LL JUST NAME ONE OF HER CONCERNS. WILL THE OFFICE BE LOCATED IN SUCH A MANNER SO THAT ONE WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE CHILDREN IN THE PLAY AREA FROM THE OFFICE? THEY NEED SUPERVISION. OF COURSE THE ANSWER RIGHT NOW IS "NO." I JUST WANT TO SAY MYSELF, AS A AVID BASKETBALL PLAYER WHO PLAYED COMPETITIVELY IN THE PAST AND STILL USE, I USE THE PARK FREQUENTLY, THAT I AGREE WITH THE GENTLEMAN TO MY LEFT THAT JUST STATED THAT WE NEED -- WE STILL NEED THE OUTDOOR COURTS. WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE THE OUTDOOR COURTS AND GAIN A GYMNASIUM, AND HERE ARE SOME OF THE REASONS WHY. CURRENTLY WITH THE OUTDOOR COURTS, SOMEONE SUCH AS MYSELF AND OTHER WORKING PEOPLE CAN COME PLAY WITH OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE, RUB ELBOWS, GET TO KNOW THEM, HAVE A POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON THEM, WHICH IS IMPORTANT IN OUR COMMUNITY, GIVEN, YOU KNOW, IF YOU CONSIDER HOW YOU DESCRIBED HOW THE PARK USED TO BE. I CAN PLAY WITH MY SON AND MY NEPHEWS. WHEN YOU BUILD A GYM, ALTHOUGH IT SOUNDS GOOD AND IS NICE IT HAS RESTRICTED HOURS, SO THINGS BECOME LIMITED. WITH TWO SPACIOUS OUTDOOR COURTS, CHILDREN OF DIFFERENT AGES, YOUNG AND OLD PEOPLE CAN PLAY TOGETHER. WHEN YOU HAVE A GYM WITH JUST -- WITH JUST ONE COURT, YOU TEND TO HAVE PEOPLE WHO AS YOU STATED ARE PLAYING IN LEAGUES WHO ARE THE BETTER BASKETBALL PLAYERS AND IT LEADS TO EXCLUSION OF OTHER PEOPLE. WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR IS RATHER QUITE SIMPLE. WE DEFINITELY WANT A GYM, WE WANT A RECREATION FACILITY, BUT WE DON'T WANT AN INFERIOR ONE. WE RECOGNIZE THE MONEYS ARE THERE OR WERE THERE TO BUILD A NICE FACILITY, AND THAT'S ALL WE'RE ASKING FOR, AND WE WANT IT IN THE PROPER LOCATION. TUCKING IT AWAY ON THE EAST SIDE WHERE IT'S PRETTY MUCH OUT OF VIEW AND ENCROACHES ON A BASEBALL FIELD I THINK COULD LEAD TO PROBLEMS IN TERMS OF SAFETY, YOU KNOW, FROM THE OTHER ANGLE IN TERMS OF PEOPLE HANGING OUT, NOT BEING SEEN, AND THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE MUCH OUTLET WHEN THE OUTDOOR COURTS ARE GONE. WE'D RATHER SEE IT PLACED WHERE THE CURRENT BUILDINGS ARE WHICH ARE IN POOR CONDITION WHICH WILL BE REMOVED AND AS HE HAD STATED THERE'S NO PLAN TO BUILD ANYTHING OVER THAT AREA OR REPLACE THE OUTDOOR COURTS. SO WE MERELY WANT WHAT US AS TAXPAYERS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO HEAVILY AND WILL CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE FOR YEARS, A GOOD FACILITY, AND WE WANT IT IN THE PROPER LOCATION WHERE THE CURRENT BUILDING IS. THANK YOU.

MELANIE HARRICK: I'D LIKE TO THANK THE BOARD FOR YOUR TIME. I KNOW THAT YOU SPEND MANY HOURS HERE. MY NAME IS MELANIE HARRICK, AND I'M A RESIDENT OF THE ALTADENA COMMUNITY AS WELL, A MOTHER OF ALMOST FOUR AND I'M ALSO A PEDIATRIC PHYSICAL THERAPIST. AND I'M COMING TO YOU TO ALSO AGREE WITH WHAT THESE OTHER INDIVIDUALS HAVE SAID. WE ARE IN FAVOR OF THIS GYM, AS HAS BEEN MENTIONED. HOWEVER, MY CONCERN AS A MOTHER AND AS A PROFESSIONAL FOR CHILDREN IS THEIR SAFETY, AND YOU AS A BOARD COULD INFLUENCE THE POSITION OF THIS GYM. WE DON'T WANT TO DELAY THIS GYM BEING BUILT, WE WANT IT TO GO FORWARD AFTER THIS MONTH, AFTER THIS -- AFTER THEY'VE FINISHED THE MELARUSE AND AUDITING THAT SITUATION. BUT I WOULD COME TO YOU TODAY AND SAY LOOK AT THE MAPS THAT YOU'VE BEEN GIVEN AND THE DIFFERENT GYM PROPOSALS AND LOOK AT WHERE WOULD BE THE SAFEST POSITION FOR OUR CHILDREN. WE DO WANT OUR CHILDREN TO BE VIEWED. THE LIABILITY THAT WOULD COME UPON US AS A COMMUNITY IF A CHILD WERE TAKEN, IF A CHILD WERE HIT BY AN AUTOMOBILE IS JUST INCONCEIVABLE. WE DO NOT WANT THAT TO HAPPEN. SO I WOULD COME TO YOU TODAY PLEADING AS A MOTHER AND AS A PROFESSIONAL OF CHILDREN THAT WE PUT THIS GYM IN THE RIGHT LOCATION AND AT A TIMELY MANNER THAT WE START SOON. THANK YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WOULD JUNE COWGILL AND KEN BALDER PLEASE COME FORWARD? STATE YOUR NAME, PLEASE.

NANCY ANDERSON: MY NAME IS NANCY ANDERSON. I'M A MEMBER OF THE LOMA ALTA COMMUNITY COMMITTEE, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME IN LISTENING TO OUR POSITION. WE'VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR A BETTER RECREATION FACILITY FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WE EVEN FOUND A MODEL WE THOUGHT WAS AFFORDABLE. IT IS THE GRANADA HILLS MODEL. YOU HAVE PICTURES OF IT IN YOUR PACKAGE. THE COST OF BUILDING THE GRANADA HILLS MODEL TWO YEARS AGO WAS $3 MILLION. THE TOTAL PROJECT COST $3,700,000. THE PROJECT WAS DONE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES. MEANWHILE, WE HAVE HAD TWO YEARS OF AN INFLATION RATE OF ONE TO 2%. WE ARE IN A RECESSION AND COMMERCIAL BUILDERS HAVE STOPPED BUILDING DUE TO ALL THE VACANT SPACE. WE THOUGHT WITH A BUDGET OF $5 MILLION THAT THE GRANADA HILLS MODEL COULD BE DUPLICATED IN OUR PARK AND IN A LOCATION THAT WOULD NOT WIPE OUT OUR COURTS, FIELDS, AND ENDANGER OUR KIDS. WE EVEN DID AN OVERLAY OF WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE IN OUR PARK. WE HAVE PROVIDED A PICTURE FOR YOU LABELED THE G-H MODEL AT LOMA ALTA PARK. WE WERE WRONG. INSTEAD, WE HAVE A PRISON GYMNASIUM MODEL WITH ATTACHMENTS TO LOOK FORWARD TO. THE MONEY ALLOCATED FOR THIS BUILDING IS $2,600,000. WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THERE IS NO WAY THAT WE'LL EVER SEE THE GRANADA HILLS MODEL IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE BUDGET IS 5 MILLION DOLLARS, WITH ALL THIS MONEY, WE QUESTION WHY WE ARE STILL BEING GIVEN A PRISON GYM. THANK YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: TRACY SULLIVAN, PLEASE COME FORWARD. WOULD YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, MISS COWGILL.

JUNE COWGILL: YES. THANK YOU FOR GIVING US AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY. WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT. MY NAME IS JUNE COWGILL. I AM AN ALTADENA RESIDENT AND I LIVE IN LA VINIA. OUR SPECIAL TAX MONEY WAS USED TO GIVE THE EQUESTRIAN COMMUNITY, AND YOU WILL HEAR FROM THE EQUESTRIAN COMMUNITY, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WENT INTO THEIR PROJECT IS $75,000, AND I WILL TELL YOU, IT'S BEING USED VERY WELL. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PLAN AND IT WILL BE A TREMENDOUS ASSET TO OUR COMMUNITY. VERY GOOD USE OF FUNDS. OUR SPECIAL TAX MONEY, WHICH IS THE MELARUSE THAT HAS BEEN ALLUDED TO, WAS USED TO GET THE TRAILS IN THE AMOUNT OF $184,000. THAT IS ALSO ANOTHER WONDERFUL USE OF OUR FUNDS, OUR TRAILS ARE REALLY CRITICAL. OUR SPECIAL TAX MONEY WENT INTO THE FACILITY THAT IS ABOUT TO BE BUILT IN THE AMOUNT OF 700,000. WHAT I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT IS THE MISSING MONEY. THERE'S ANOTHER 750,000 MISSING. THIS CONCERNED MR. ANTONOVICH WHEN HE SAW THE MELARUSE GRAFT THAT WE PRESENTED TO HIM. HE HAS CALLED FOR AN AUDIT OF THE MELARUSE. THERE IS A TREMENDOUS BAG OF MONEY, 9 MILLION DOLLARS, THAT WE BELIEVE HAS BEEN RAIDED BY BROOKFIELD HOMES. THE AUDIT IS TO BEGIN TOMORROW. IT WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH. WE BELIEVE THAT THIS ENTIRE PROJECT NEEDS TO MOVE FORWARD RAPIDLY. WE ALSO BELIEVE THERE IS MISSING MONEY THAT COULD GO INTO THIS FACILITY THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO HAVE A GRANADA HILLS MODEL IN OUR PARK. I HAVE, FOR THE RECORD, A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE LOMA ALTA COMMUNITY COMMITTEE, I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT IT TO YOU. BASICALLY IT SAYS, "WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO DELAY APPROVAL FOR ONE MONTH ONLY UNTIL THE AUDIT IS COMPLETED. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE AUDIT, PLEASE AMEND THE GYMNASIUM RECREATION CENTER PROJECT ALONE TO INCLUDE THE FULL DOLLAR AMOUNT OF ANY RECOVERABLE PARK IMPROVEMENT FUNDS. THAT 750,000 DOLLARS IS A DIFFERENCE TO OUR COMMUNITY OF A PRISON GYM WITH WINGS AND THE GRANADA HILLS MODEL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU. WOULD, MR. BALDER, AND BOBBY THOMPSON AND THEN TRACY SULLIVAN I'LL CALL NEXT.

KEN BALDER: YES, KEN BALDER, CURRENT - KEN BALDER CURRENT CHAIRMAN OF THE ALTADENA TOWN COUNCIL, SERVING MY 6TH YEAR, AND GREETINGS TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND MADAM CHAIR. THE ALTADENA COMMUNITY HAS BEEN DEALING WITH THE ISSUE OF BUILDING A GYMNASIUM IN LOMA ALTA PARK FOR THE PAST SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS. IT'S BEEN MOVED TO THE NORTH CORNER, THE SOUTH CORNER, THE EAST CORNER AND THE WEST CORNER. IT IS A GOOD IDEA. IT WILL BE AN ASSET TO THE ALTADENA COMMUNITY. IT'S WHAT THE COMMUNITY DESIRES. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE CAME TO OUR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING TO OBJECT TO SUCH A FACILITY, PUBLICLY EXPRESSING FEARS OF INCREASED TRAFFIC, NOISE, AND CONGREGATING YOUTH. THE FOLLOWING MONTHS SUPPORTERS OF THE GYMNASIUM ATTENDED TO EXPRESS THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE FACILITY THEY HAD BEEN PROMISED AND THE BENEFIT IT WOULD BE TO THE YOUTH OF OUR COMMUNITY. THEN THE NEXT MONTH, THE OPPOSITION CAME FORWARD STATING THAT THE GYMNASIUM IS A GOOD IDEA, BUT ALAS, POOR ALTADENA IS BEING SOLD A POOR BILL OF GOODS, AND ON THIS LACK LUSTER BARE BONES FACILITY WHICH THE COUNTY IS FORCING DOWN OUR THROATS. ALTADENA DESERVES A BETTER GYM, SIMILAR TO THE ONE IN GRANADA HILLS. SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH, ALONG WITH THE HEAD OF THE -- NEW HEAD OF PARKS AND REC, MR. TIM GALLAGHER MET WITH THE OPPONENTS, HEARING THEIR CONCERNS ON THE QUALITY OF THE PROJECT. OUR REVIEW OF THE ENTIRE MATTER WITH MR. GALLAGHER RESULTED IN THE DECISION TO INCREASE THE FUNDS FOR THE GYMNASIUM. THE PROJECT WOULD AFFORD A COMPLETELY NEW FACILITY FOR THE PARK WITH OFFICES AND COMMUNITY ROOM. IN THE LONG RUN, THIS WOULD BE MORE ECONOMICALLY WISE THAN TRY TO REFURBISH THE AGING FACILITY. WE'RE ALL VERY HAPPY THANKING THIS GROUP FOR THE EFFORTS IN OBTAINING ADDITIONAL FUNDS THAT WILL FINALLY BRING THE GYM TO LOMA ALTA. IN JULY OF LAST YEAR THIS NEW CONCEPT WAS PRESENTED TO THE ALTADENA TOWN COUNCIL MEETING. THE ALTADENA TOWN COUNCIL, COMPRISED OF 16 ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES, TWO FROM EACH OF OUR EIGHT CENSUS TRACTS, WITH A COMBINED EXPERIENCE OF SOME 81 YEARS, OR FIVE YEARS FOR EACH REPRESENTATIVE, VOTED UNANIMOUSLY AFTER A MOTION MADE BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CENSUS TRACT IN WHICH THE PARK IS LOCATED. FOR THIS -- WE APPROVED THIS NEW PLAN, CONCEPT, THE OUTLINE OF THE SIZE, THE LOCATION, AND THE AMENITIES. WE'RE FINALLY GETTING A NEW FACILITY, MUCH BETTER THAN THE COMMUNITY EVER IMAGINED. A COMMUNITY CONSENSUS WAS OBTAINED, AFTER MONTHS OF TESTIMONY TO THE COUNCIL. SEVERAL QUIET MONTHS WENT BY WHILE THE C.A.O.'S OFFICE BEGAN WORKING ON THE PLANS. THEN A MEETING WAS HELD IN THE PARK BY THE OPPONENTS EXPLAINING TO THE ATTENDEES AND SOME OF THE COMMUNITY THAT WITH THE HIGH NUMBER OF REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS IN GROUP HOMES SURROUNDING THE PARK IT WOULD BE UNWISE TO BUILD A GYM IN ITS PROPOSED LOCATION AS PARK PERSONNEL WOULD BE UNABLE TO SUPERVISE ADEQUATELY THE WHOLE PARK. IN ADDITION THE GROUP BEGAN THE DELAYING TACT OF -- DELAYING TACTIC OF AUDITING THE COUNTY AUDITORS AS TO SOURCE OF FUNDS WITH ALLEGATIONS OF IMPROPRIETARY AND MISAPPROPRIATION. IN MY VIEW, THIS SMALL OPPOSITION GROUP IS MADE UP OF TWO PARTICULAR VIEWPOINTS. ONE GROUP SEES LOMA ALTA PARK AS A USE PRIMARILY AS AN EQUESTRIAN PARK AND DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE AN UNWANTED INTRUSION. THE OTHER GROUP, LED BY RELATIVELY NEWCOMERS TO ALTADENA, FEEL SUCH A FACILITY WOULD ATTRACT UNDESIRABLE ELEMENTS, SUCH AS TRAFFIC AND NOISE. WHAT'S BEST FOR ALTADENA? APPROVE THIS PROJECT TODAY. ALTADENA HAS WAITED LONG ENOUGH, IT WILL BE AN ASSET TO ALL OF US FOR MANY YEARS. DELAYS WILL ALLOW FUNDING TO DISAPPEAR, THE GOAL OF THIS SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU. TRACY SULLIVAN.

TRACY SULLIVAN: GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU, HONORABLE BOARD. I'M HERE REPRESENTING AS PRESIDENT ALTADENA EQUESTRIAN RESOURCES. THIS IS A COMMUNITY GROUP OF AN ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP OF OVER 500 EQUESTRIANS IN THE SAN GABRIEL FOOTHILL ALTADENA AREA. OUR MISSION STATEMENT AND PRIMARY STATEMENT IS TO PRESERVE THE RURAL AND EQUESTRIAN LIFE-STYLE THAT WE ARE PRIVILEGED TO HAVE IN ALTADENA. AND AS THAT, I'M ADDRESSING THE ITEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS AGENDA ITEMS THAT PERTAIN TO THE EQUESTRIAN PARK FACILITY AND THE TRAILS. OUR GROUP DOES NOT HAVE A POSITION ON THE GYMNASIUM, PER SE. THIS ITEM DOES CONTAIN FOR THE BOARD'S APPROVAL AS VERY MEANINGFUL GESTURE TO THE COMMUNITY, AN ASPECT OF THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS BEEN LEFT OUT AND MARGINALIZED FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, AND THAT IS THE HIKERS AND EQUESTRIANS IN THE COMMUNITY. ALTADENA IS A VERY DIVERSE COMMUNITY WITH HISTORIC ROOTS IN THE FOOTHILLS AND THE TRAILS DATING BACK TO ABOLITIONIST, OWEN BROWN. THIS IS A COMMUNITY THAT CURRENTLY HAS BEEN DENIED ACCESS TO OUR TRAILS AND FOOTHILLS BY ENCROACHING DEVELOPMENT AND NEGLECT. THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA WOULD BE A FIRST STEP AT RELINKING AND REESTABLISHING HISTORIC TRAILS TO THE COMMUNITY TO THE BENEFIT OF ALL THE COMMUNITY AND THE FUTURE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY. ADDITIONALLY, THERE ARE ALLOCATIONS OF FUNDING FOR REFURBISHMENT OF THE EQUESTRIAN PARK LOCATED IN THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF LOMA ALTA PARK. THIS IMPROVEMENTS WOULD BRING THE EQUESTRIAN FACILITIES UP TO PAR WITH OTHER COUNTY EQUESTRIAN FACILITIES AND ALSO PROVIDE EQUESTRIANS AND HIKERS WITH A SAFE LINK TO THE TRAILS. CURRENTLY THE SITUATION IS A VERY DANGEROUS ONE WITH HORSES CROSSING ROADS AND BUSY INTERSECTIONS AND THE GYMNASIUM WOULD ONLY INCREASE THAT LIABILITY AND SAFETY CONCERNS. ADDITIONALLY, AS A PART OF THIS AGENDA ITEM, THE COUNTY HAS BEFORE IT ANOTHER HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY TO SET IN MOTION A VITAL LINK IN THE TRAIL SYSTEMS TO LINK THE J.P.L. HA HOMUNGA BASIN WITH EATON CANYON RECREATION PARK AND ONE CONTINUOUS TRAIL, THE RESTORATION OF THE HISTORIC ALTADENA CREST TRAIL. THIS WOULD BE A VITAL LINK IN THE PUBLIC ACCESS AND TO THE OPEN SPACE AND THE BEAUTY OF THE SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS THAT CURRENTLY IS NOT AVAILABLE TO US. I WOULD JUST ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH AND HIS OFFICE AND THE C.A.O. FOR, FOR THE FIRST TIME STEPPING UP AND ADDRESSING THE CONCERNS OF THE EQUESTRIANS AND HIKERS IN HIS AREA IN AN ATTEMPT TO RECTIFY PROMISES THAT WERE MADE, AS I SAID, OVER A DECADE AGO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU. WOULD GREG MCPHEE AND RONALD MATTHEWS, SR. PLEASE COME FORWARD? MR. THOMPSON.

BOBBY THOMPSON: GOOD MORNING, CHAIR, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, MEMBERS, STAFF, AND THE PUBLIC. MY NAME IS BOBBY THOMPSON, AND I'M A MEMBER OF THE ALTADENA TOWN COUNCIL. I REPRESENT CENSUS STRIKE 4610, WHICH IS ROUGHLY ABOUT ONE MILE SOUTH OF THE LOMA ALTA GYM. I HAVE ALSO LIVED IN THE AREA FOR PRETTY CLOSE -- ABOUT 23 YEARS. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK SUPERVISOR MIKE ANTONOVICH. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK JUNE AND STAN AND THEIR GROUP OF LOMA ALTA FOR DOING SUCH A OUTSTANDING JOB. BUT AS A REPRESENTATIVE LISTENING TO MY CONSTITUENTS IN THE ALTADENA AREA, EVERYONE WANTS A GYM. WHEN I SAY "EVERYONE," EVERYONE THAT I TALK TO WANT A GYM AND THEY WANT A GYM NOW. AND LIKE I SAID, I DO APPRECIATE THE CHECKING OF THE BUDGET, THE RESURVEYING OF THE LAND, THE ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS, ALL OF THAT IS GOOD, BUT LIKE I SAID, PEOPLE IN MY CENSUS TRACT, 4610, THEY WANT A GYM AND THEY WANT A GYM NOW. THANK YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MR. MCPHEE?

GREG MCPHEE: THANK YOU. GOOD DAY, CHAIR BURKE AND SUPERVISORS OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY. MY NAME IS GREG MCPHEE. I LIVE AT 3255 NORTH LINCOLN AVENUE. IT'S ACROSS THE STREET FROM LOMA ALTA PARK. I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT OF THE AREA FOR APPROXIMATELY EIGHT YEARS. I ALSO SERVE ON ALTADENA'S LAND USE COMMITTEE, A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE ALTADENA TOWN COUNCIL. DEAR SUPERVISORS, LOMA ALTA PARK COMMUNITY COMMITTEE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH COUNTY STAFF FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS ON THE GYM ISSUE BEFORE YOU TODAY. OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE LOMA ALTA COUNTY PARK EVERYTHING IT SHOULD BE TO PERFORM ITS MISSION. THAT MISSION IS TO SERVE THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD, INCLUDING THE AT-RISK YOUTH IN ALTADENA'S NUMEROUS YOUTH GROUP HOMES. WE ARE GRATIFIED THAT YOU'VE RESPONDED BY BUDGETING ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT. IT APPEARS THAT MORE FUNDS SHOULD HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE FROM LAVINIA AND MELARUSE BOND ISSUES. THOSE FUNDS WILL BE AUDITED BEGINNING TOMORROW. WE EXPECT THAT THEY WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO PAY FOR WHATEVER IS NEEDED TO LOCATE THE GYM ON THE SITE OF THE PRESENT RECREATION BUILDING. AS YOU WILL HEAR FROM OTHERS TODAY. THAT IS THE ONLY SITE THAT MAKES SENSE FROM A RECREATIONAL AND SAFETY STANDPOINT, AND IT WILL PRESERVE THE VERY POPULAR OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURTS AND FULL SIZE BASEBALL FIELD. WE'VE COME A LONG WAY DOWN THE ROAD TO MAKING OUR PARK A SHOW PLACE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. DON'T LET THE EFFORT END HERE. YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE ALTADENA WITH A GYM THAT ALL OF US CAN BE PROUD OF FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. PLEASE DO NOT PASS UP THAT OPPORTUNITY. WE ASK YOU RESPECTFULLY TO CONTINUE THIS ISSUE UNTIL THE COMPLETION OF THE AUDIT SO THAT WE MAY REALIZE THE FULL POTENTIAL OF LOMA ALTA COUNTY PARK. THANK YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MR. MATTHEWS?

RONALD MATTHEWS SR.: HELLO. GOOD MORNING. HELLO, BOARD, CHAIRMAN BURKE, SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH AND THE OTHER SUPERVISORS. MY NAME IS RONALD KEITH MATTHEWS, SR., AND I HAVE WORKED AND LIVED IN ALTADENA SINCE 1970. I ACTUALLY GREW UP IN LOMA ALTA PARK, I WAS ONE OF THE FIRST KIDS TO SWIM IN THE SWIMMING POOL WHEN THEY BUILT IT IN 1974, AND I'VE BEEN PARTICIPATING IN ALL THE PARK'S ACTIVITIES SINCE I WAS A KID. I HAVE FOUR CHILDREN WHO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE PARK AND PARTICIPATE IN THE PARK'S ACTIVITIES. AND I'M HERE AND STRONGLY SUPPORT THE TOWN COUNCIL'S RECOMMENDATION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE GYM. A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE SPOKE TODAY WEREN'T AROUND WHEN IT WAS DECIDED TO BUILD THIS GYM AND A LOT OF THEM DON'T KNOW WHY THIS GYM WAS DECIDED TO BE BUILT AT LOMA ALTA PARK. APPROXIMATELY 10 YEARS AGO, I PARTICIPATED IN A TOWN HALL MEETING WITH SHERIFF, THEN SHERMAN BLOCK AND SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH AND THIS TOWN HALL MEETING WAS IN RESPONSE TO A YOUNG MAN WHO WAS KILLED, NAMED JUSTIN RICHARDS, AND HE WAS KILLED BY A STRAY BULLET STEPPING OFF OF A SCHOOL BUS. AND IN THAT MEETING, EVERYBODY FOUND OUT THAT THE COMMON DENOMINATOR WITH THE PERSON WHO FIRED THE SHOT, THE PERSON WHO WAS GETTING SHOT AT, AND THE YOUNG MAN, THE COMMON DENOMINATOR WAS LOMA ALTA PARK. THE LITTLE KID PLAYED LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL. THE YOUNG MAN WHO WAS RUNNING FROM THE BULLET PLAYED BALL IN THE PARK, BASKETBALL, AND THE GUY WHO FIRED THE SHOT GREW UP IN THAT PARK. SO EVERYBODY DECIDED THAT WE NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING IN THAT PARK TO PREVENT SOMETHING LIKE THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN, AND IT WAS AN IDEA OF A GYMNASIUM. NOW, THIS WAS 10 YEARS AGO. WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH ALL KINDS OF PLANNING PROCESSES TO GET TO THIS POINT. THERE'S BEEN NUMEROUS, NUMEROUS, NUMEROUS MEETINGS OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN, AND NOW IT HAS CAME TO HAPPEN. WE CAN HAVE A GYM NOW. WE DON'T HAVE A GANG PROBLEM NOW. WE JUST NEED A GYM. AND I URGE THE BOARD TO PLEASE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE GYMNASIUM. YOUTH WHO ARE PROVIDED WITH POSITIVE SPORTS PROGRAMS GO ON TO LIVE POSITIVE AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES, AND I JUST URGE THAT WE GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO DO THAT. I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE COMMUNITY WHO'S HERE WHO HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB IN ALL THEIR RESEARCH AND EVERYTHING, BUT IT JUST GOES ON AND ON AND ON. IT'S TIME TO MOVE FORWARD. I'D LIKE TO THANK SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH AND HIS STAFF FOR THE -- JUST DEALING WITH THE COMMUNITY ON THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH OR MR. --

SUP. ANTONOVICH: I WANT TO ASK YOU SOME QUESTIONS. RELATIVE TO THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE RAISED BY THE COMMUNITY TODAY, ONE, THE -- THERE WAS PHOTOGRAPHS THAT THEY PASSED OUT, ONE OF THE GRANADA HILLS MODEL AND ONE OF THE PROPOSED THAT WE HAD DESIGNED. OKAY, WHERE ARE WE TODAY IN WORKING TO DEVELOP CONCEPTS OF ENHANCING SOME OF THE GRANADA HILLS AMENITIES WITH THE PROPOSAL THAT WAS SUGGESTED AT THE TIME WHEN THIS DRAWING WAS MADE?

SPEAKER: THE PROPOSAL THAT YOU HAVE ON YOUR LEFT-HAND SIDE IS A GYMNASIUM THAT WE BUILT AT PAMELA PARK AND JACKIE ROBINSON. IT'S A TURNKEY DESIGN THAT ORIGINALLY WAS PROPOSED FOR LOMA ALTA. WHEN THE COMMUNITY CAME TO US EXPRESSING A CONCERN OVER THE DESIRE TO HAVE A GRANADA HILLS STYLE, WE TOOK A LOOK AT THE FUNCTIONALITY OF HAVING A GYMNASIUM AND A COMMUNITY CENTER PHYSICALLY SEPARATED, AND THAT'S WHERE WE CAME UP WITH THE CONCEPT OF COMBINING THEM INTO ONE SITE, SIMILAR TO THE GRANADA HILLS STYLE THAT YOU HAVE. WE'RE VERY SCHEMATIC AT THIS POINT WHEN WE HIRED THE ARCHITECT. THAT'S WHEN THE DESIGN, SPECIFIC DESIGN STRUCTURE WILL BE LAID FORWARD WITH THE GYMNASIUM COMMUNITY CENTER, AND WE'VE MADE A COMMITMENT TO GO BACK TO THE TOWN COUNCIL FOR THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS AND INPUT INTO THAT. SO WE'RE MOVING TOWARDS THE GRANADA HILLS STYLE IN THE SENSE THAT THE GYMNASIUM, THE COMMUNITY CENTER WILL BE JOINTLY LOCATED AND JOINEDLY SUPERVISED.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: BUT THE EXTERIOR IS NOT LIKE THIS?

SPEAKER: THE EXTERIOR TENTATIVELY IS VERY SIMILAR TO THAT, ALTHOUGH WE'VE INCORPORATED A SET BACK FROM THE ROAD FOR ADDITIONAL LANDSCAPING AND TREES TO HELP BLOCK SOME OF THE HEIGHT CONCERNS.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: SO THERE'S A SET-BACK AND THERE'LL BE TREES AND MORE LANDSCAPING.

SPEAKER: CORRECT.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: THE ISSUE OF BASEBALL DIAMONDS AND THE ISSUE OF OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURTS, HOW WILL WE ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS?

SPEAKER: THE BASEBALL DIAMOND IS UNAFFECTED BY THE CURRENT PROPOSED LOCATION FOR THE GYMNASIUM COMMUNITY CENTER. THE OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURT IS BEING DISPLACED BY THE LOCATION OF THE GYMNASIUM, BUT WHAT WE'RE DOING IS -- LET ME STEP BACK. WE HAVE A COMMUNITY CENTER THAT WAS BUILT IN 1951 THAT'S IN NEED OF MAJOR RENOVATIONS, MAY HAVE SOME HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, HEATING, AIR CONDITIONING, STRUCTURAL DESIGNS. RATHER THAN SINK MONEY INTO THAT AND HAVE TWO PHYSICALLY SEPARATED LOCATIONS, WE'VE COMBINED THEM, AND PART OF THIS PROJECT IS TO REMOVE THAT OLD COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING, AND WHAT WE SAID TO THE TOWN COUNCIL IS WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU, WORK WITH YOU ON WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE PUT IN THAT PLACE. WHAT I'M HEARING TODAY IS THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURTS, SO WE WILL HAVE A LOCATION TO REPLICATE THE BASKETBALL COURTS THAT ARE BEING DISPLAYED BY THE GYM, IF THAT'S WHAT THE COMMUNITY DESIRES.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: SO THE COMMUNITY DESIRES THAT THE OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURTS THAT COULD BE ACCOMMODATED IN THAT LOCATION.

SPEAKER: CORRECT.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: RELATIVE TO THE LOCATION OF THE FACILITY AND THE SAFETY ISSUES THAT WERE RAISED, COULD YOU COMMENT ON THAT?

SPEAKER: WELL, ONE OF THE MAJOR CONCERNS I HAD WHEN I FIRST GOT INTO THE PROJECT ABOUT A YEAR AGO IS THAT WE WERE LOOKING AT HAVING TWO SEPARATE BUILDING LOCATIONS IN A PARK THAT WOULD REQUIRE DUPLICATION OF STAFF TO KEEP BOTH OF THEM OPEN AT THE SAME TIME, AND THAT MADE NO SENSE TO ME, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT THAT ONE OF THE FACILITIES NEEDED TO BE RENOVATED IN OVER A MILLION-DOLLAR COST. SO WE ACTUALLY FUNCTIONALLY AND OPERATIONALLY HAVE IMPROVED THE SAFETY BY HAVING A CENTRALLY-LOCATED BUILDING THAT WILL BE BOTH THE COMMUNITY ROOM AND THE GYMNASIUM THAT CAN BE SUPERVISED BY THE SAME STAFF. AS FAR AS THE CONCERNS ABOUT PLAYGROUND, THE PLAYGROUND CONTINUES TO BE CENTRALLY LOCATED IN THE PARK, IT WILL BE EQUAL DISTANCE FROM THE SWIMMING POOL WHEN THAT'S OPEN AND THE GYMNASIUM OFFICE.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: THE ISSUE OF THE AUDIT, MELARUSE FUNDS, WHEN IS THAT TO BE COMPLETED AND IS IT APPROPRIATE TO MOVE FORWARD PRIOR TO THE COMPLETION OF THE -- OF THAT AUDIT?

SPEAKER: I CAN'T SPEAK TO WHEN THE AUDIT IS GOING TO BE COMPLETED. I THINK JAN IS TRYING TO GET AN ANSWER NOW, BUT MY RECOMMENDATION IS THAT WE'VE GONE THROUGH QUITE A LONG PROCESS WITH THIS GYMNASIUM COMMUNITY CENTER. AS YOU KNOW, WE'VE ADDED MORE PROP 12 MONEYS, THANKS TO YOUR CONCURRENCE WITH THIS. WE NOW HAVE A FACILITY THAT WILL MEET THE COMMUNITY NEEDS CLOSE TO WHAT THEY WANT, IMPROVE OUR OPERATION AND SAFETY FACTOR, AND I THINK IT'S REALLY TIME TO GO SO WE CAN START SERVING SOME OF THE YOUTH IN THE LOMA ALTA AREA. BUT AS FAR AS THE TIMING OF THE AUDIT, I DON'T HAVE THAT ANSWER.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: MR. SPELLMAN OR MR. JANSSEN?

C.A.O. JANSSEN: ON MELARUSE, 30 TO 45 DAYS.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: AND THE -- IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE AUDIT, WILL THAT IMPACT THE DECISION, IF WE MADE A DECISION TODAY?

SPEAKER: AS I UNDERSTAND IT IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE MELARUSE AUDIT, IT WILL NOT AFFECT THE FUNDING THAT IS BEING PROPOSED FOR THIS GYMNASIUM SINCE THE MAJORITY OF THIS IS PROP 12.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT'S BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE, AS MR. MATTHEWS, RON, MENTIONED, GOING BACK TO SHERMAN BLOCK AND IN MY OFFICE WE HELD A COMMUNITY MEETING AND DISCUSSING SOME OF THE NEEDS FROM A TRAGIC INCIDENT THAT HAD OCCURRED IN THE PAST THERE, AND WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY AND THE ALTADENA COMMUNITY IS A WONDERFUL COMMUNITY AND THEY HAVE A DIVERSITY OF OPINIONS AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES THEM VERY UNIQUE, BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL INVOLVED IN THEIR COMMUNITY. BUT AS MR. BALDER OF THE TOWN COUNCIL HAS MENTIONED AND THE TOWN COUNCIL IS MADE UP OF A DIVERSITY OF INDIVIDUALS AS WELL WITH VERY STRONG OPINIONS ON ALL SIDES, THERE WERE MANY MEETINGS, MANY PERSONAL MEETINGS, AND THEY CAME UP WITH A UNANIMOUS POSITION TO SUPPORT THIS PROCESS, AND THIS RECOMMENDATION. AND MR. GALLAGHER, I APPRECIATE PERSONALLY GOING OUT VISITING THE LOCATION AND ALSO PERSONALLY VISITING WITH THE VARIOUS CONSTITUENCIES WHO HAVE HAD DIFFERENT OPINIONS ON THIS PROPOSAL BEFORE US. SO THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT'S HAD A LOT OF PERSONAL ATTENTION AND -- BUT I WOULD LIKE TO READ THE MOTION WITH 59, WHICH WOULD ALSO STATE THAT THE COUNTY AUDIT OF THE LAVINIA DEVELOPMENT PROJECT WHICH MY MOTION HAD ORDERED FOUND A SHOCKING FACT THAT LESS THAN HALF OF THE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL FOR THE LAVINIA DEVELOPMENT WERE MET, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE GYMNASIUM WAS HALTED AND THAT THE DEVELOPMENT FAILED TO PREVAIL -- TO DELIVER ON THE PROMISES IT MADE TO THE COMMUNITY. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND THE COUNTY IS NOW IN A PROCESS OF CHANGING THAT PROCESS WHERE WE ARE HAVING PEOPLE IN CHARGE TO ENSURE THAT ALL YOUR C.U.P'S ARE FULLY COMPLIED WITH, AND THE COUNTY, ON THIS ISSUE, IS WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY AND THE DEVELOPER IN ADDRESSING THESE FAILURES. THE PROPOSED GYMNASIUM AND EQUESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS AT LOMA ALTA PARK ARE VITAL FOR THE RESIDENTS IN ALTADENA. WITH THE 5,500-SQUARE-FOOT COMMUNITY ROOM AND A 9500-SQUARE-FOOT GYMNASIUM, A STATE OF THE ART FACILITY WOULD OPTIMIZE PARK STAFF ACTIVITY ALLOWING FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE GYM AND COMMUNITY CENTER OPERATIONS FROM A SINGLE OFFICE. THE GYM'S VARYING ROOF LINES WOULD SOFTEN THE VISUAL IMPACT TO MEET CONCERNS RAISED BY THE COMMUNITY AND TO MEET COMMUNITY STANDARDS. THE PROJECT ALSO INCLUDES A DRAMATIC RENOVATION, EXPANSION OF THE EQUESTRIAN FACILITIES AT LOMA ALTA PARK AND A REDESIGN AND EXPANSION OF THE TRAIL SYSTEM AT AND AROUND THE PARK, AND WE HAD TESTIMONY FROM THE EQUESTRIAN COMMUNITY ON THAT ISSUE. FENCING, LIGHTING, AND A RIDING RING AND A CORRAL WOULD BE INSTALLED TO IMPROVE SAFETY, FUNCTIONALITY AND VISUAL APPEAL. THE SUNSET RIDGE TRAIL WOULD BE RELOCATED AND IMPROVED SO THAT EQUESTRIANS HAVE A SAFE MEANS OF ACCESSING THE CHANEY TRAIL. FINALLY THE COUNTY WILL BE WORKING WITH THE LOCAL EQUESTRIAN HIKING AND CONSERVANCY GROUPS TO REESTABLISH A TRAIL SYSTEM SURROUNDING THE PARK AND EXTENDING EAST AND WEST ACROSS ALTADENA. WORK OUGHT TO BEGIN IMMEDIATELY ON THE EQUESTRIAN-RELATED IMPROVEMENTS AND TRAIL ACQUISITION. COUNTY STAFF HAS INDICATED THAT A TRAIL EASEMENT IS REQUIRED ACROSS COUNTY PROPERTY TO BE DEDICATED BY SOUTHWEST DIVERSIFIED AND THE LAVINIA HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION. THE COUNTY SHOULD IMMEDIATELY MOVE TO SECURE THE EASEMENT FROM SOUTHWEST DIVERSIFIED BEFORE THE PROPERTY IS TRANSFERRED. ADDITIONALLY, REPORTS SHOULD BE GIVEN REGULARLY TO THE TOWN COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY. SO I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THAT THE BOARD ADOPT THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND AUTHORIZE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LOMA ALTA GYM AND EQUESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS AND FURTHER MOVE THAT THE BOARD DIRECT THE C.A.O. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS AND REC TO IMMEDIATELY BEGIN WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY TO REESTABLISH THE EAST/WEST TRAIL SYSTEM, INCLUDING SECURING THE NECESSARY EASEMENTS.

SPEAKER: IT'S BEEN SECONDED.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. IS THERE ANY OBJECTION? WITHOUT OBJECTION, THE MOTION IS APPROVED. WE WILL NOW GO TO THE 11 O'CLOCK ITEM. I'D LIKE TO ASK THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SERVICES AND THE SHERIFF TO COME FORWARD. I UNDERSTAND THERE'S ONE PHYSICIAN WHO IS HERE WHO WANTS TO TESTIFY, AND WE WILL BE CALLING YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WHILE THEY'RE COMING UP, AND WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO'VE ASKED TO TESTIFY ON THIS ITEM, I'M GOING TO INTRODUCE FOR THE NEXT MEETING, THERE HAS BEEN -- ON FEBRUARY 8TH, 2003, A 8-YEAR-OLD BOY WAS SHOT WHEN SHOTS WERE FIRED INTO A HOME AT 60TH AND MINLOW. AND HE WAS KILLED, HIS TWO YEAR OLD BROTHER WAS WOUNDED, AS OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY. AT THE NEXT MEETING, I WILL MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OFFER A REWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,000 FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF THE INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS HEINOUS CRIME. ALL RIGHT. THEN IF IT'S -- I UNDERSTAND THAT I HAD KEN INTRODUCE THIS UNDER 61, AND SO I WILL SO MOVE. IS THERE A SECOND? MOVED AND SECONDED. WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. ARE WE GOING TO HEAR FROM, YES, FROM THE DEPARTMENT FIRST? OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO START OFF AND THEN WE CAN CALL IN THERE --

CHUCK JACKSON: IF YOU'D LIKE, SUPERVISOR, I'M CHUCK JACKSON, COMMANDER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DIVISION, I'M HERE TO REPRESENT THE CUSTODY SIDE OF THIS ISSUE. AND WITH ME IS DR. JOHN CLARK, THE CHIEF PHYSICIAN FOR OUR MEDICAL SERVICES TO ANSWER SOME OF YOUR CONCERNS. DR. CLARK?

DR. JOHN CLARK: GOOD MORNING. FOR THE LAST 17 YEARS, I'VE BEEN THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER AT THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. RECENTLY ON JANUARY THE 29TH, YOU WERE ADVISED BY THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT OF A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM THAT WE ARE HAVING IN THE JAILS WITH METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPH AUREUS. OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE, WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SINCE JUNE OF LAST YEAR. WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO BRIEFLY IS TO GIVE YOU A CHRONOLOGICAL OVERVIEW OF WHAT TRANSPIRED WITH RESPECT TO THESE INFECTIONS IN THE JAIL. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2001, WE BEGAN TO SEE OCCASIONAL REPORTS OF INMATES PRESENTING WITH THE COMPLAINT OF SPIDER BITES. THERE WERE PERHAPS A HANDFUL THAT WERE REPORTED TO US AT THAT TIME. THOSE INDIVIDUALS WERE EVALUATED AND TREATED APPROPRIATELY WITH ANTIBIOTICS, AND AS A RESULT OF THE FACT THAT WE WERE SEEING SPIDER BITES, WE WANTED TO ENSURE THAT OUR TREATMENT APPROACH WAS SOMEWHAT STANDARD, AND TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, WHEN WE DO HAVE CERTAIN CONDITIONS IN THE JAIL, WE DO DEVELOP TREATMENT PROTOCOLS FOR THE PHYSICIAN. SO WE DID DEVELOP A TREATMENT PROTOCOL AS WELL AS A BRIEFING FOR ALL OF OUR MEDICAL STAFF WITH RESPECT TO THE CONCERNS ABOUT SPIDER BITES. IT WAS IN DECEMBER OF 2001 THAT WE CONTINUED TO NOTICE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FROM OUR INMATES WITH RESPECT TO THEIR HAVING SPIDER BITES. AT OUR NORTH COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, IN JANUARY, THERE WERE MANY REPORTS THAT CAME TO US AT THAT TIME. OUR PUBLIC HEALTH STAFF AT THE JAIL BEGAN TO WORK WITH CUSTODY IN TERMS OF INSPECTING THE FACILITIES TO SEE IF WE COULD IDENTIFY IF, IN FACT, THESE WERE SPIDERS OR SOME OTHER TYPE OF INSECTS. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS MOST FREQUENT IN THE TYPES OF BITES THAT WE WERE SEEING OR THE TYPES OF WOUNDS WE WERE SEEING WERE THESE BITES, OR LESIONS, APPEARED IN THE GROIN AREA AND IN THE LOWER EXTREMITIES. FOR THAT REASON, THERE WAS A CONCERN THAT PERHAPS THERE MAY BE SOME TYPE OF INFESTATION IN OUR LAUNDRY AT THE NORTH FACILITY. SO OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS, WE DID FOLLOW THAT TRACK WITH RESPECT TO TRYING TO CONFIRM OR REFUTE THAT THESE WERE INSECTS AND/OR SPIDERS. WE WORKED WITH CUSTODY STAFF IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE THAT APPROPRIATE FUMIGATION MEASURES WERE IN PLACE. IN APRIL AND MAY, BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT WE HAD INSTITUTED A PROTOCOL WHICH REQUIRED THE PHYSICIANS TO DO CULTURES OF THE TYPE OF LESIONS THAT THEY WERE SEEING, WE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CULTURES THAT WERE COMING BACK THAT WERE M.R.S.A. POSITIVE. AT THAT TIME, I PERSONALLY NOTIFIED THE DEPARTMENT COMMAND STAFF. I INDICATED TO THEM THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT THE PUBLIC HEALTH STAFF AT THE JAIL AND I HAD DEVELOPED AND I INDICATED THAT I CERTAINLY FELT THAT IT WAS APPROPRIATE AND NECESSARY THAT WE CONSULT WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AT THAT TIME IN TERMS OF GETTING ADDITIONAL INPUT INTO THE THINGS THAT WE NEEDED TO DO TO CORRECT -- OR TO AT LEAST TRY TO GET CONTROL OF THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME, WHEN I BRIEFED THE COMMAND STAFF AS CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, I DID NOT SPECIFICALLY MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO NOTIFY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AS MY FOCUS AT THAT POINT IN TIME WAS TO TRY TO GET A HANDLE ON THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. I THINK AT THIS POINT I WILL DEFER TO DR. FIELDING, WHO HAS PREPARED A STATEMENT THAT WILL KIND OF TIE ALL OF THIS TOGETHER AND THEN CERTAINLY WE'LL BE HAPPY TO RESPOND TO ANY QUESTIONS.

DR. JONATHAN FIELDING: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I'M JONATHAN FIELDING, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH OFFICER. LET ME GIVE YOU A LITTLE BACKGROUND. A STAPHYLOCCUS AUREUS IS A UBIQUITOUS SKIN BACTERIA AND OFTEN REFERRED TO AS STAPH AND IT'S FOUND ON 30 TO 50 PERCENT OF ADULTS AT ANY ONE TIME. IT PRIMARILY CAUSES SKIN INFECTION, BOILS, PIMPLES OR ABCESSES ALTHOUGH SOMETIMES IT CAN CAUSE MORE SERIOUS INFECTIONS WHEN IT GETS INTO THE BLOOD. METHACILLIN RESISTANT STAPHYLOCCUS AUREUS OR M.R.S.A. IS A STRAIN THAT HAS DEVELOPED RESISTANCE TO A FAMILY OF ANTIBIOTICS INCLUDING PENCILLIN ENCEPHALOSPORINS WHICH ARE COMMONLY USED TO TREAT SKIN INFECTIONS. M.R.S.A. IS PRIMARILY SPREAD SKIN-TO-SKIN THOUGH IT CAN BE ALSO SPREAD BY CONTAMINATED EQUIPMENT AND PERSONAL ITEMS SUCH AS LAUNDRY. M.R.S.A. IS COMMON IN HEALTH CARE FACILITIES BUT MORE RECENT OUTBREAKS HAVE BEEN SEEN IN COMMUNITY SETTINGS SUCH AS ATHLETIC TEAMS AND CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. WE'VE BEEN INVESTIGATING OUTBREAKS OF M.R.S.A. IN HOSPITALS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY SINCE THE 70S AND IN NURSING HOMES SINCE THE 80S. IN JUNE 2002 THE COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL UNIT OF PUBLIC HEALTH WAS NOTIFIED AN INCREASED NUMBER OF M.R.S.A WOUND INFECTION AMONG INMATES AT THE COUNTY JAIL. THEY HAD NOTED INCREASE IN FEBRUARY BUT THE INCREASE HAD BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO SPIDER BITES. EXCUSE ME. NO BITING SPIDERS WERE CAPTURED BUT ACCORDING TO JAIL PERSONNEL PESTICIDES WERE APPLIED. WE REQUESTED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE NUMBER OF INMATES, THE GENDER, THE AGE, THE LOCATION OF THE INMATE AT THE TIME OF THE POSITIVE CULTURE, THE DATE OF THE CULTURE AND THE ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANT PATTERN OF EACH CULTURE. BASED ON REVIEW OF THE EPIDEMIOLOGIC DATA FROM FEBRUARY TO JULY 2002 AND CONSULTATIONS WITH THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES, THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION AND THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES WHOSE PRISONS HAD EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, WE MADE A RECOMMENDATION AND PROVIDED THOSE TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ON AUGUST 7TH. THE RECOMMENDATION INCLUDED SURVEILLANCE FOR SKIN INFECTIONS AND NEW INMATES, APPROPRIATE WOUND CARE AND ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENT OF SKIN INFECTIONS, INCREASING THE FREQUENCY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANING, SHOWERS AND CLEAN LAUNDRY, REDUCING THE MOVEMENT OF INFECTED INMATES AND EDUCATION OF INMATES AND STAFF. A SUMMARY OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IS PROVIDED IN ATTACHMENT A. TO THE STATEMENT THAT I'VE PROVIDED TO YOU. FROM AUGUST UNTIL THE PRESENT TIME WE'VE CONTINUED TO WORK WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ON THIS. WE REVIEW MONTHLY DATA ABOUT THE NUMBER AND LOCATION OF M.R.S.A. CULTURES IN THE JAIL, WE FOLLOW TRENDS IN ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE AND WE ANALYZE DATA TO DETERMINE HOW MANY INMATES ENTERING THE JAIL HAVE M.R.S.A. INFECTIONS WE'RE ALSO REVIEWING CHARTS OF THE INMATES WHO ARE HOSPITALIZED WITH M.R.S.A. AT L.A.C.U.S.C. TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE SEVERITY OF THESE INFECTIONS. THERE WERE ROUGHLY I THINK 67 INMATES HAD M.R.S.A. WOUND OR BLOOD CULTURES WHO WERE ON THE HOSPITAL JAIL WARD IN 2002. OVERALL, BASED ON OUR ANALYSIS FOR 2002, 920 INMATES WERE DIAGNOSED WITH M.R.S.A. WOUND INFECTIONS. 87% OF THESE WERE MEN. THEY CAME FROM ALL OF THE FACILITIES. THE NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME M.R.S.A. WOUND INFECTIONS VARIED FROM A LOW OF 54 CASES IN JANUARY 2002 TO A HIGH OF 114 CASES IN OCTOBER, AS INDICATED IN FIGURE ONE. SIGNIFICANTLY ABOUT 9% OF THE WOUND INFECTIONS OCCURRED WITHIN FIVE DAYS OF AN INMATE BEING ADMITTED TO A JAIL, SUGGESTING THAT THEY MAY HAVE BECOME INFECTED BEFORE THEY HAD WENT TO THE JAIL. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE 67 INMATES WHO WERE IN THE HOSPITAL JAIL WARD WITH M.R.S.A. A REVIEW OF 39 CHARTS REVEALED THAT ALL HAD THESE WOUND INFECTIONS BUT TEN LATER HAD INVASIVE DISEASE INCLUDING BLOOD, BONE AND HEART VALVE INFECTION. THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY WAS 13 DAYS. ANALYSIS OF BLOOD AND WOUND CULTURES FROM THE JAIL WARD AND THE HOSPITAL SHOW THAT M.R.S.A. WAS UNCOMMON IN 1998 BUT INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN 2001. I'VE GIVEN YOU A FIGURE SHOWING THAT. STAFF FROM OUR PROGRAMS HAVE MADE MULTIPLE PRESENTATION AT THE JAIL, WE'VE GIVEN GRAND ROUNDS TO THE MEDICAL STAFF, WE'VE PRESENTED TO THE COMMANDERS, CAPTAINS, DEPUTIES, NURSES, MICROBIOLOGISTS AND OTHERS ABOUT THE OUTBREAK AND OUR CONTROL RECOMMENDATIONS. THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS WORKING WITH US ON AN M.R.S.A. TASKFORCE TO BETTER IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS. THE PUBLIC HEALTH STAFF HAVE ALSO BEEN INVESTIGATING AN OUTBREAK OF M.R.S.A. IN MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN. ON NOVEMBER 22ND LAST YEAR PHYSICIANS FROM TWO LARGE INFECTIOUS DISEASE CLINICAL PRACTICES NOTIFIED US OF INCREASED NUMBERS IN M.R.S.A. SKIN INFECTIONS AMONG PREDOMINANTLY HIV POSITIVE MSNS. TO ADDRESS THE CONCERN OF M.R.S.A INFECTIONS AMONG MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN WE HAVE INCREASED SURVEILLANCE IN SELECTED INFECTIOUS DISEASE CLINICS AND HAVE BEGUN A STUDY OF RISK FACTORS FOR INFECTION AMONG THIS POPULATION. RECENTLY M.R.S.A. CULTURES FROM THE JAIL HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED FOR MOLECULAR FINGERPRINTING AND HAVE BEEN FOUND TO HAVE THE SAME MOLECULAR FINGERPRINT AS THE MSM INVESTIGATIONS AND THE TWO OTHER CLOSED OUTBREAKS, THE ATHLETIC TEAM AND THE NEWBORN NURSERY; HOWEVER WE DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF THESE OUTBREAKS ARE DIRECTLY LINKED. THIS MOLECULAR FINGERPRINT IS CONSISTENT WITH THAT OF OTHER M.R.S.A. COMMUNITY OUTBREAKS FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. ISOLATES FROM ALL OF THESE HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE C.D.C. TO FURTHER CHARACTERIZE THEIR VIRULENCE FACTOR AND TOXINS BECAUSE THIS APPEARS TO BE QUITE A NASTY BUG. CONTROL OF M.R.S.A. IN THE JAILS WILL NOT BE EASY FOR SEVERAL REASONS. SOME INMATES COME IN WITH THE INFECTION AND MAY NOT BE IDENTIFIED BEFORE THEY SPREAD THE DISEASE. THERE IS RAPID MOVEMENT OF THE INMATES THROUGHOUT JAIL FACILITIES. CLOSE LIVING CONDITIONS IN THE JAILS FACILITATE TRANSMISSION OF MANY DISEASES, INCLUDING MENINGOCOCCAL, PNEUMOCOCCAL, SCABIES AND M.R.S.A. FINALLY SOME MAY LEAVE THE JAIL WITHOUT HAVING FINISHED THEIR WOUND TREATMENT. SEVERAL OTHER JAILS AND PRISON SYSTEMS HAVE HAD OUTBREAKS OF M.R.S.A, INCLUDING SAN FRANCISCO, SAN DIEGO, TEXAS, GEORGIA, MISSISSIPPI AND TENNESSEE. THEIR EXPERIENCE SHOW THE CONTROL OF M.R.S.A. REQUIRES CONCERTED EFFORTS OF MANY PART OF THE JAIL SYSTEM. FACILITIES THAT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN CONTROLLING IT ARE PRISONS WHERE THE POPULATION IS MUCH MORE STABLE. IT IS HARDER TO CONTROL A PERSON-TO-PERSON SPREAD DISEASE IN A POPULATION WITH HIGH TURNOVER. SUFFICIENT TREATMENT ALONE WILL NOT IN FACT CONTROL THIS. SURVEILLANCE AND TREATMENT FOR SKIN INFECTIONS MUST START WHEN PEOPLE ARE FIRST ADMITTED TO THE JAIL, PREVENTION OF SKIN INFECTION DEPENDS ON INMATE EDUCATION AND DAILY ACCESS TO SHOWERS AND SOAP AND INCREASING FREQUENCY OF CLEAN LAUNDRY. DORMS AND CELLS NEED TO BE CLEANED DAILY, ESPECIALLY WHEN CASES OF M.R.S.A. HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THAT AREA. ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO M.R.S.A. THAT CAN'T BE WASHED SUCH AS TORN MATTRESSES SHOULD BE THROWN OUT. INMATES UNDERGOING TREATMENT FOR M.R.S.A. SHOULD NOT BE MOVED FROM FACILITY TO FACILITY. AND CONTINUING EDUCATION OF MEDICAL AND CUSTODY STAFF AND FACILITATING CONTROL MEASURES IS NEEDED. FINALLY IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A PLAN FOR DISCHARGING INMATES WITH ACTIVE M.S.R.A. INFECTIONS TO BE SURE THAT THEY HAVE APPROPRIATE MEDICAL CARE WHEN THEY LEAVE THE JAIL. INADEQUATE TREATMENT REALLY PERPETUATES AND HELPS THIS DISEASE SPREAD. THE M.R.S.A. TASKFORCE HAS BEEN LOOKING INTO ALL THESE ISSUES. DESPITE ALL THESE INTERVENTIONS IT MAY NOT BE -- WE MAY NOT BE ABLE COLLECTIVELY TO COMPLETELY ERADICATE M.R.S.A. FROM THE JAILS BECAUSE WE'RE STILL GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE COMING IN WITH SKIN INFECTION. THERE'S A LOT OF TURNOVER AND IT IS NOT COST-EFFECTIVE TO TRY AND SCREEN PEOPLE BECAUSE 30 TO 50% OF THE POPULATION HAVE THIS ON THEM YOU'D HAVE TO SCREEN IN MANY, MANY DIFFERENT PLACES. WHAT'S NEEDED IS AN INCREASED VIGILANCE, QUICKLY TREATING THEM, AND MAKING SURE THEY COVER THEIR WOUNDS, ACCESS TO SHOWERS ON A DAILY BASIS AND CLEAN LAUNDRY, ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANING AND CONTINUED EDUCATION OF STAFF AND INMATES. TO HELP ASSURE EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL OUTBREAKS OTHER THAN IN HEALTH CARE FACILITIES, WE'RE UNDERTAKING A PHYSICIAN EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ON DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF M.R.S.A. AND WE'RE ASKING PHYSICIANS IN THE COMMUNITY TO REPORT ANY CLUSTER TO US. WE'RE SPECIFICALLY TARGETING THOSE WHO HAVE SUBSTANTIAL POPULATIONS OF MSM BUT ALSO SENDING OUT A BROADER ALERT TO ALL PHYSICIANS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT, ARE THERE QUESTIONS?

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: YEAH, NUMBER ONE, ON THIS PARTICULAR SPECIFIC ISSUE, CAN YOU KEEP US INFORMED ON A BI-WEEKLY BASIS AT LEAST AND MORE OFTEN IF THE NEED ARISES? I WANTED TO ASK YOU ANOTHER QUESTION, SINCE YOU'RE HERE AND IT'S TANGENTIALLY RELATED IT'S NOT DIRECTLY RELATED BUT I RECEIVED THE STATISTICS ON SYPHILIS FROM YOUR DIVISION AND THE SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE PROGRAM AND I WAS QUITE ALARMED AT THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS OF SYPHILIS REPORTED BETWEEN LAST YEAR -- BETWEEN 2001 AND 2002. AND IF MY NUMBERS ARE CORRECT AND I THINK THEY ARE BECAUSE THEY ARE YOUR NUMBERS, THEY'VE GONE FROM 347 CASES IN 2001 TO 507 IN 2002 AND PRIOR TO THAT, 2000 WAS 337, SO IT WAS INCREMENTALLY INCREASING AND IT IS A HUGE JUMP LAST YEAR. IN THE HOLLYWOOD WILSHIRE AREA IT MORE THAN DOUBLED FROM ONE YEAR TO THE NEXT. WE'VE HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS AT THE BOARD LEVEL HERE ABOUT THE INCIDENTS OF SYPHILIS AND WHAT WE'RE DOING ABOUT IT IN TERM OF EDUCATION AND INTERVENTION, ALL THE AVAILABLE TECHNIQUES THAT WE HAVE. NUMBER ONE, COULD YOU ADDRESS THE DRAMATIC INCREASE THAT WE'VE WITNESSED IN THE LAST YEAR AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT IT?

DR. FIELDING: DESPITE ALL OUR EFFORTS AT CONTROL -- AND I'LL REVIEW THOSE BRIEFLY -- WE HAVE SEEN A LARGE INCREASE. THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT UNDER CONTROL. THE OUTBREAK IS ENDEMIC IN MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN AT A TIME WHEN SYPHILIS IN OTHER HIGH RISK POPULATIONS HAS BEEN GOING DOWN SO THAT RIGHT NOW THAT PERCENTAGE IN MSM IS ABOUT 70% OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SYPHILIS CASES WE'RE SEEING. BASED ON DIRECTION FROM THE BOARD WE'VE UNDERTAKEN A NUMBER OF THINGS, INCREASED SCREENING IN COMMUNITY VENUES, USING MOBILE CLINIC UNITS. WE'VE -- WORKING WITH THE ADULT INDUSTRY MEDICAL IN COLLABORATION WITH THE STD PROGRAM AT SOME OF COMMERCIAL SEX VENUES TO GET SCREENING, WE'VE BEEN DOING MORE IN THE H.I.V. EPIDEMIOLOGIC PROGRAM TO TRY AND CHARACTERIZE THIS, WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH A.I.D.S. HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION, E.P.L.A. BASED ON MONEY THAT THE BOARD AUTHORIZED US TO HAVE, BOTH INCREASED SCREENING TO PROVIDE PREVENTION ADVOCATES AND LIAISON BETWEEN US AND COMMERCIAL SEX VENUE, UNDERTAKING A PEER TO PEER PROGRAM TO TRY AND ADVOCATE SAFER SEX NORMS. WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH LATINO SYPHILIS WORKING GROUP, PARTICULARLY FOR AGENCIES SERVING LATINO MSM'S AND WE'VE BEEN DISTRIBUTING OUR INFORMATION TO ALL PHYSICIANS, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN HIGH-RISK AREAS AND MAKING IT EASIER FOR THEM TO GET PAID FOR SYPHILIS TESTING IN PRIVATE PRACTICE, THOSE WHO HAVE SUBSTANTIAL MSM POPULATIONS. WE HAD A CONTRACT WITH A.I.D.S. HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION TO COORDINATE AND IMPLEMENT A TARGETED PREVENTION MEDIA CAMPAIGN, AND WE'VE BEEN DOING SUBSTANTIAL OUTREACH. HOWEVER, DESPITE ALL THOSE EFFORTS WE CONTINUE TO HAVE A PROBLEM THAT IS NOT CONTROLLED. I HAVE TALKED TO A NUMBER OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING PEOPLE WITHIN THAT COMMUNITY AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS IN ADDITION THAT WE THINK SHOULD BE DONE. WE HAVE TO INTENSIFY OUR EFFORTS WITH THE BATHHOUSES TO PROMOTE SAFER SEX AND I'LL BE MEETING WITH THEM AND TRYING TO PUSH THAT. HOWEVER I WOULD ALSO NOTE THAT WE HAVE AN INCREASING PERCENTAGE OF THOSE WHO ARE HAVING SEX BASED ON CONTACTS THROUGH THE INTERNET. SO WE HAVE A NUMBER OF CHALLENGES. NUMBER TWO, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK INTO A PARTNERSHIP WITH ONE OR MORE CITIES, HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER WITH THEM TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE MORE HEALTH EDUCATION MESSAGES, MORE CONDOMS AVAILABLE IN PLACES WHERE IT MIGHT BE PICK-UP BARS, CONTINUED TESTING AND TREATMENT AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE -- WE'VE HAD FRANKLY A LOW YIELD FROM OUR TESTING. THAT MAY BE BECAUSE THE ONES WHO WERE TESTING MAY BE, QUOTE, THE WORRIED WELL RATHER THAN THOSE THAT ARE HAVING A LARGE NUMBER OF PARTNERS AND ARE HIGH AT RISK. WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE WAYS TO TRY AND SEE IF WE CAN TRY AND IDENTIFY THOSE AT HIGHEST RISK BOTH THROUGH OUR OWN EFFORTS AND THOSE OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS. BUT I THINK THAT A CENTRAL ELEMENT OF CONTROL EFFORTS REALLY NEEDS TO BE A COMMITMENT BY THE LEADERS OF THE GAY COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP IN TRYING TO CHANGE BEHAVIORAL NORMS BECAUSE WE HAVE CIRCUMSTANTIAL DATA THAT I THINK TOGETHER IS DISTURBING, SHOWING AN INCREASE IN UNSAFE SEX. SOME DATA SUGGESTING AN INCREASE IN NUMBER OF PARTNERS, BASED ON SOME OF OUR H.I.V. EPIDEMIOLOGY WORK AND SOME DATA SUGGESTING AN INCREASE IN UNPROTECTED SEX. SO THERE HAS TO BE AN EFFORT TO TRY AND CHANGE NORMS. WE'VE DONE A LOT OF WORK, TRYING TO FOCUS IN OUR H.I.V. PREVENTION WORK BECAUSE WE KNOW SYPHILIS INCREASES THE RISK OF H.I.V. AND VICE VERSA IN TERMS OF POTENTIATION OF COMMUNICATION, BUT WE HAVE TO CONCENTRATE MORE ON THOSE WHO ALREADY HAVE H.I.V. AND ABOUT 57% OF THOSE WITH SYPHILIS HAVE ALSO H.I.V. AND THOSE WITH SYPHILIS AS WELL WHO DON'T HAVE H.I.V. TO BE MORE RESPONSIBLE IN THEIR OWN SEXUAL BEHAVIOR. AND I THINK IN THE ABSENCE OF CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO FULLY ERADICATE THIS PROBLEM BUT WE NEED TO REDOUBLE OUR EFFORTS AND TO THAT END I'M GOING TO ESTABLISH AN ADVISORY GROUP ON GAY, LESBIAN AND TRANSGENDER HEALTH TO TRY AND HELP CONTINUE TO REFINE OUR STRATEGIES.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: LET ME ASK YOU, IS THE SAME FACTORS THAT WOULD RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN SYPHILIS WOULD BE THE SAME FACTORS -- CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG -- THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE SAME KIND OF UNPROTECTED SEX THAT WOULD RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN H.I.V., WOULD IT NOT?

DR. FIELDING: YES EXACTLY.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: ARE WE SEEING A CONCOMITANT INCREASE IN H.I.V?

DR. FIELDING: I WISH WE KNEW SUPERVISOR, WE DON'T HAVE SUFFICIENT REPORTING OF NEW INCIDENT H.I.V. INFECTIONS TO BE SURE, THE NUMBERS WE'RE SEEING HAVE BEEN ROUGHLY STABLE. SOME OF THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS I'VE TALKED TO SUGGESTED THAT THERE'S BEEN AN INCREASE, OTHERS SAY IT'S ABOUT THE SAME. WE DON'T HAVE THE KIND OF REPORTING THAT MAKES SURE THAT AS SOON AS SOMEBODY IS DIAGNOSED THAT IT IS REPORTED. WE DO HAVE A UNIQUE IDENTIFYING REPORTING SYSTEM, WHICH IS GOING TO TAKE SEVERAL YEARS TO BE FULLY FUNCTIONAL. SO I'M NOT ABLE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: WELL, YOU HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF EVEN A COMPARISON BETWEEN -- OF THE CASES YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS YEAR VERSUS THE CASES YOU KNEW ABOUT LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR BEFORE?

DR. FIELDING: THAT'S BEEN ROUGHLY, ROUGHLY THE SAME. BUT AGAIN WE DON'T GET -- THE QUESTION IS REALLY HOW MANY NEW INFECTIONS WE HAVE THIS YEAR VERSUS NEW INFECTIONS AND IF WE, IN SOME CASES IT'S CATCH-UP, NOW THAT REPORTING IS REQUIRED WE'RE TRYING TO GET REPORTING SO WE DON'T KNOW IN SOME CASES HOW LONG PEOPLE HAVE HAD IT. IN SOME CASES PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ANONYMOUSLY DIAGNOSED, EVEN IF WE TOOK THE FIRST TIME THEY GO TO A PROVIDER, IT MAY BE SIGNIFICANTLY AFTER THEY KNOW THEY HAVE H.I.V. SO WE DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER TO THAT, SUPERVISOR.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: ARE YOU -- IN TERMS OF THE BATHHOUSES, ARE YOU FINDING A LACK OF COOPERATION THERE OR JUST LACK OF ENGAGEMENT, A LITTLE MORE ENGAGEMENT IS NECESSARY WITH THE MENTORING?

DR. FIELDING: I WOULD SAY IT'S VARIED. SOME HAVE BEEN COOPERATIVE WITH THEIR TESTING, SOME HAVE BEEN LESS COOPERATIVE. I THINK THE HEALTH MESSAGES INSIDE, THE AVAILABILITY OF CONDOMS VARIES. IT'S IN EVERY BATHHOUSE, AS FAR AS I KNOW AND WE -- THERE HAVE BEEN INSPECTIONS.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: WHAT IS IN EVERY BATHHOUSE?

DR. FIELDING: CONDOMS. ARE THEY AT PLACES WHERE PEOPLE ARE HAVING SEX WITHIN THAT BATHHOUSE, THOSE KIND OF ISSUES. THERE'S CERTAINLY A LOT OF ANONYMOUS SEX STILL GOING ON WITHOUT CONDOMS IN BATHHOUSES AND IN OTHER CIRCUIT PARTIES AND THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARRANGE VIA THE INTERNET, WHICH IS, OF COURSE, EVEN LESS AMENABLE TO OUR INTERVENTIONS. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM BEING SEEN IN A BUNCH OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS. IN FACT THE C.D.C. HAS JUST GOTTEN EIGHT OR NINE JURISDICTIONS THAT HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM GROW.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: THE PROBLEM BEING SYPHILIS -- [ MIXED VOICES ].

DR. FIELDING: SYPHILIS SORRY, THE SYPHILIS PROBLEM, AND THEY'RE TRYING TO GET US TO WORK TOGETHER.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: AND THESE AREAS ARE AROUND THE COUNTRY?

DR. FIELDING: AROUND THE COUNTRY YEAH, THEY'RE FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO ATLANTA, TO NEW YORK TO BALTIMORE TO, I FORGET, HOUSTON, I DON'T HAVE ALL THE NAMES BUT YEAH THIS PHENOMENON IN SEATTLE HAS BEEN SEEN IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLACES. SO WE SEE IT AS SYMPTOMATIC OF WHAT'S GOING ON ELSEWHERE AND THE OTHER PLACES ARE NOT HAVING SUCCESS IN CONTROLLING IT EITHER. BUT THAT'S NO EXCUSE. WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO TRY AND GET A BETTER HANDLE ON THIS.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: ALL RIGHT, I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME PUBLIC TESTIMONY AND I'M GOING TO STOP RIGHT SO.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH HAS ASKED TO ASK A QUESTION.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: I JUST WANT TO CONCLUDE BY ASKING JONATHAN TO CONTINUE TO KEEP US POSTED ON BOTH ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED. I THINK IT'S ON -- ON THE SYPHILIS ISSUE, THIS IS THE SINGLE-LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN A SINGLE YEAR THAT I CAN RECALL. AND -- AND I WOULD -- YEAH, AND SINCE WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AND I THINK THIS IS ALARMING NOT JUST ON THE SYPHILIS FRONT BUT BECAUSE OF THE IMPLICATIONS IT HAS FOR OTHER S.T.D.'S, AS WE'VE DISCUSSED. SO I APPRECIATE YOUR MAKING THIS A NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. THANK YOU.

DR. FIELDING: THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR AND YES I SHARE YOUR CONCERN THAT WE COULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN H.I.V. BASED ON RELAXATION OF SAFE SEX PRACTICES AND NOT -- EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T KNOW IT YET.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH DID YOU HAVE A QUESTION?

SUP. ANTONOVICH: YES, A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS GOING BACK TO THE JAILS. WHEN IT WAS FIRST DIAGNOSED AS SPIDER BITES, THEN ABOUT THREE MONTHS LATER YOU CONTINUED TO BELIEVE THERE WAS A SPIDER BITE PROBLEM WHEN DID YOU BEGIN THE TESTING OF THE CULTURES?

DR. FIELDING: WELL ACTUALLY THE CULTURING WAS A PART OF THE PROTOCOL THAT WE DEVELOPED IN SEPTEMBER. ON OCCASION THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF MAY BE SLOW TO MOVE IN IMPLEMENTING ALL PARTS OF THE GUIDELINES THAT WE HAVE ESTABLISHED FOR THE CLINICAL PRACTICE BUT CERTAINLY IN JANUARY WE RE-BRIEFED THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF. WE REINFORCED THE IMPORTANCE OF DOING THE CULTURE SO THE WIDESPREAD SIGNIFICANT CULTURING BEGAN AROUND JANUARY.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: AND HOW MANY MONTHS WAS THAT AFTER THE OUTBREAK?

DR. FIELDING: UM, WELL, IF I UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION, I THINK THAT'S JUST ABOUT AT THE TIME THAT THE SIGNIFICANT INCREASE THAT WE SEE BASED ON THE NUMBERS OCCURRED.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: WHAT'S THE PROTOCOL NOW TO INFORMING OUTSIDE AGENCIES WHEN SUCH AN OUTBREAK OCCURS?

DR. FIELDING: THAT'S ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE NEED TO FOLLOW UP ON WITH RESPECT TO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SHERIFF AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. IT'S THE SHERIFF'S RESPONSIBILITY TO DO THAT NOTIFICATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. AT THIS POINT, IN THE PAST, IN THE TEXT OF OUR COMMUNICABLE DISEASE MANAGEMENT PLAN THAT WE HAVE CRAFTED WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WE HAVE NOT ESTABLISHED SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR REPORTING OUTSIDE OF THE 33 REQUIRED DISEASES THAT WE ARE TO REPORT. AND AS I REMEMBER THE STATUTE BASICALLY READS THAT IF YOU BEGIN TO SEE AN INCREASED FREQUENCY OF CERTAIN TYPES OF NON-REPORTABLE DISEASES, THEN THOSE ALSO SHOULD BE REPORTED. SO AT LEAST AT THIS POINT WE HAVEN'T HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS WHETHER IT'S TEN CASES OF SCABIES OR TEN CASES OF M.R.S.A. THAT WOULD TRIGGER NOTIFYING THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. SO I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT BOTH OF US ARE COMMITTED TO WORK THROUGH.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: HAVE ALL OF THE SHERIFF CUSTODY PERSONNEL BEEN TRAINED IN IDENTIFYING THESE TYPES OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES NOW?

DR. FIELDING: WHAT WE'VE DONE, SUPERVISOR, IS SUBSEQUENT TO THE AUGUST 2002 MEETING IS WE CHANGED THE PROCEDURES IN THE M.A. RECEPTION CENTER FOR NUMBER ONE SCREENING INMATES COMING IN, AND LOOKING FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF SKIN INFECTIONS AND THOSE TYPES OF ISSUES. WE DEVELOPED A TRAINING VIDEO THROUGH THE HELP OF DR. CLARK AND HIS STAFF WHICH HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO OUR MEDICAL STAFF, OUR COMMAND STAFF PERSONNEL HAS BEEN DISSEMINATED TO OUR JAILS FOR BASICALLY OUR CUSTODY PERSONNEL, WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING AN ADJUNCT VIDEO FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE INMATES, FOR THEY'RE THE ONES THAT ACTUALLY NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR AND WHAT TO DO ONCE THEY FIND SOMETHING LIKE THAT. WE ALSO CHANGED AND MODIFIED OUR PROCEDURES AT THE VARIOUS CUSTODY FACILITIES ON THE EXCHANGE OF CLOTHING, ESPECIALLY THE UNDERGARMENTS AND THE TOWELS. WE TRY TO KEEP A CLOSER WATCH ON THE FREQUENCY THERE. WE ARE ALSO -- ABOUT AUGUST TIME FRAME WE HAD SWITCHED FROM THE TYPE OF A BULK SOAP THAT WE PURCHASED FOR THE INMATES TO AN ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP WHICH IS NOW PROVIDED TO THE INMATES AT NO COST, THEY CAN PURCHASE THEIR OWN THROUGH AN OUTSIDE VENDOR BUT THIS IS AN ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP THAT'S PROVIDED UPON REQUEST AT ALL OF OUR JAIL FACILITIES. WE HAVE MADE A POINT WITH ALL OF OUR JAIL COMMANDERS TO LET IT BE KNOWN THAT THEIR INMATES SHOULD BE OFFERED SHOWERS AS FREQUENTLY AS POSSIBLE, AT LEAST DAILY. IN MOST AREAS THAT'S BEING ACCOMPLISHED. AT MEN'S CENTRAL JAIL IT'S A MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TASK TO GET ALL INMATES TO THE SHOWERS EVERY DAY BUT THOSE THINGS -- THOSE ARE SOME THINGS WE INITIALLY TRIED TO PUT IN PLACE TO STEM THE TIDE, IF YOU WILL AND WE'RE WORKING WITH D.H.S TO MAKE FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: WELL I MEAN GOOD HYGIENE REQUIRES THAT A DAILY BATHING AND DAILY CHANGE OF UNDERGARMENTS AND THAT SHOULD BE A REQUIREMENT, THAT'S NOT AN OPTION ESPECIALLY FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE LIVING IN WHAT FOUR-PERSON CELLS.

DR. FIELDING: THAT'S EASIER SAID THAN DONE WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO DEAL WITH 20,000 INMATES AND DOING DAILY EXCHANGES FOR THE UNDERGARMENTS. IN MOST CASES WE RANGE ANYWHERE FROM WEEKLY CLOTHING EXCHANGES FOR THE UNDERGARMENTS, FOR THE OUTER GARMENTS, FOR THE BEDDINGS. THE UNDERGARMENTS ARE ISSUED SOMEWHERE BETWEEN TWO AND SIX SETS SO SOME INMATES ACTUALLY GET MORE THAN OTHERS PROBABLY BY VIRTUE OF LOCATION. NORTH COUNTY IS WHERE THE LAUNDRY IS AT. SOUTH COUNTY OR THE BASIN AREA WE HAVE TO TRANSPORT BACK AND FORTH ON A DAILY BASIS. THE LAUNDRY CAN ONLY HANDLE A, YOU KNOW, A PARTICULAR LOAD SO UNTIL I CAN GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE RUN AN OPERATION OF 16 HOURS A DAY VERSUS 8 HOURS A DAY.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: NOW IF YOU HAVE A FOUR-PERSON CELL AND ONE OF THE FOUR INDIVIDUALS DOESN'T BELIEVE IN HYGIENE, ARE YOU CREATING A VERY INTOLERABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE OTHER THREE ALONG WITH THE PERSONNEL WHO OPERATE THE FACILITY.

DR. FIELDING: YOU KNOW, WE DO OUR BEST TO PROVIDE THOSE SHOWERS ON A DAILY BASIS BUT LIKE I WAS EXPLAINING TO DOCTOR BANCROFT, IF YOU LET FOUR TO SIX INMATES OUT AT SHOWER TIME AND THE SHOWERS ARE LOCATED IN THE SAME AREA THAT YOU CAN GET TO A TELEPHONE CALL OFTENTIMES THE INMATE WILL OPT FOR A TELEPHONE CALL VERSUS A SHOWER, WE TRY TO GET THEM THERE DAILY.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: IT SHOULD NOT BE A CHOICE BETWEEN A TELEPHONE CALL AND A SHOWER, SHOWERS SHOULD BE REQUIRED BECAUSE THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THEMSELVES AND TO THEIR FELLOW INMATES AND TO THOSE THAT WORK IN THAT ENVIRONMENT.

DR. FIELDING: I'M NOT ARGUING WITH YOU, SUPERVISOR, IT'S JUST VERY DIFFICULT TO CONVINCE INMATES TO CRAWL UNDER THE WATER AND TAKE A SHOWER DAILY.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: WHEN YOU HAVE THESE TYPES OF OUTBREAKS IT'S UNCONSCIONABLE THAT WE ALLOW THOSE TYPES OF CHOICES. HOW DO YOU CHANGE THAT?

DR. FIELDING: I PRESUME WE'D HAVE TO GO IN THERE AND ORDER EACH INMATE DAILY TO GO OUT THERE AND CRAWL UNDERNEATH THE SHOWER, AND IF POSSIBLE HAVE TO ESCORT THEM DOWN WITH DEPUTY PERSONNEL. WE CAN ONLY OPEN THE GATES, WE DIRECT THEM DOWN TO THE SHOWERS, YOU KNOW, YOU TRY TO GET THEM TO GO IN THE SHOWERS, YOU PROVIDE THAT ABILITY FOR THEM ON A DAILY BASIS, IF THEY OPT NOT TO GET IN THERE, IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT TO FORCE SOMEBODY TO TAKE A SHOWER.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: IT'S -- YOU'RE CREATING FUTURE PROBLEMS FOR THE OTHER THREE INMATES WHO HAVE TO STAY IN THAT CELL WITH THAT INDIVIDUAL AND YOU CAN HAVE THE SPREAD OF DISEASES AS BEING NOT JUST MENTIONED BUT BEING REPORTED ON TODAY.

DR. FIELDING: AND AGAIN I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FORCE THE INMATE TO TAKE A SHOWER SUPERVISOR.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: WELL IF YOU HAVE FORCE THEM THEN YOU OUGHT TO FORCE THEM. I MEAN FIRST OF ALL THEY ARE A HEALTH PROBLEM TO THEMSELVES AND TO OTHERS AND IF THEY'RE SPREADING A COMMUNICABLE DISEASE, IT CAN SHUT DOWN A FACILITY. AND THIS IS NOT A DEMOCRACY.

DR. FIELDING: SIR --.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: REMEMBER YOU WENT THROUGH BASIC TRAINING?

DR. FIELDING: YES, SIR, AND I HAD A DIFFERENT SAYING TO TAKE SHOWERS TO.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: YOU TOLD YOUR FIRST SERGEANT "WELL TODAY'S NOT THE SHOWER DAY".

DR. FIELDING: A SLIGHT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING IN THE MILITARY AND BEING IN A JAIL SIR.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: ALL RIGHT, BUT STILL YOU HAD THAT OPERATION AND IT WAS A VERY EFFICIENT OPERATION AND EVERYBODY BENEFITED FROM THAT. I MEAN, LET ME ASK WHEN THESE INMATES ARE RELEASED ARE THEY GIVEN A PRESCRIPTION WITH THE MEDICATION AND ALSO INFORMATION TO GET ADDITIONAL CARE AND TREATMENT FOR THESE

DOCTOR: EXCELLENT QUESTION. SOME OF THE INMATES THAT ARE BEING TREATED FOR THESE SKIN INFECTIONS ARE IN FACT ENROLLED IN OUR SELF-MEDICATION PROGRAM. IN OTHER WORDS THEY CARRY THEIR MEDICATIONS ON-PERSON WITH THEM WHILE THEY'RE IN JAIL. IF THEY ARE RELEASED WE COUNSEL THEM THAT IF YOU'RE RELEASED FROM JAIL WITHOUT OUR HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE YOU, MAKE SURE THAT YOU COMPLETE YOUR ANTIBIOTIC THERAPY. THERE ARE OTHER INMATES WHO FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE SELF-MEDICATION PROGRAM AND IN THOSE INSTANCES WE TRY OUR BEST AND WE ARE BEGINNING TO WORK WITH OUR COMMUNITY TRANSITION UNIT TO MAKE SURE THAT AS THEY ARE PROCESSED OUT OF THE JAIL THAT THEY IN FACT WILL RECEIVE MEDICATIONS, IN ADDITION TO THAT WE'VE IMPLEMENTED A WRIST-BANDING MEASURE FOR CERTAIN INMATES THAT ARE ACUTE WHO MUST TAKE THEIR MEDICATION AND CERTAINLY IF SOMEONE'S BEING RELEASED AND THEY HAVE A ORANGE WRISTBAND THAT'S A INDIVIDUAL THAT STAFF WILL MAKE SURE THEY KNOW WHAT THE SITUATION IS WITH THAT PERSON BEFORE THEY ARE RELEASED.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: ARE THERE REPORTS OF INMATES WHO HAVE BEEN RELEASED AND THEN CREATING A PROBLEM WITH THEIR FAMILY? SPREADING THE DISEASE?

DOCTOR: DR. BANCROFT IS IN THE PROCESS OF EVALUATING ONE CASE NOW. THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A SITUATION WHERE A PERSON RELEASED FROM JAIL WENT HOME AND AN INFANT IN THAT FAMILY GOT A SKIN INFECTION BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S BEING DONE IN THE COMMUNITY, AS DIAGNOSES ARE BEING MADE OF THESE SKIN INFECTIONS, A PART OF THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL QUESTIONS, DO YOU HAVE ANYONE WHO WAS RECENTLY IN JAIL OR PRISON. SO WE HAVEN'T CONFIRMED THAT CASE YET.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: THANK YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO'VE ASKED TO SPEAK. DR. PAUL DENOUDEN, DR. GEORGE AVILA AND WE'LL CALL MICHAEL WIENSTEIN UP WITH THAT GROUP.

DR. FIELDING: SUPERVISOR MAY I JUST MAKE ONE VERY BRIEF COMMENT? I WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE EXCELLENT WORK OF DR. ELIZABETH BANCROFT, ELIZABETH? WHO HAS REALLY DONE A WONDERFUL JOB IN WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND I THINK WE OWE HER A REAL DEBT OF GRATITUDE FOR HER EXCELLENT INVESTIGATIVE WORK AND COLLABORATIVE WORK WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

DOCTOR: IN ADDITION TO THAT I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE ONE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES ON MY STAFF, WHO'S TAKEN THE POINT IN THIS PARTICULAR OUTBREAK THAT WE'RE HAVING AND THAT'S MARTHA TEDESSA.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: IS SHE HERE ALSO? WOULD SHE STAND? MARTHA TEDESSA WOULD YOU RAISE YOUR HAND?

DOCTOR: SHE'S NOT HERE.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: SHE'S NOT HERE, OKAY THANK YOU.

SPEAKER: HELLO. FIRST I'D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE BOARD ON THE FEDERAL STATE AID PACKAGE THAT YOU HAVE SECURED. ALL OF US IN L. A. COUNTY ARE VERY GRATEFUL THAT THAT TOOK PLACE. THREE YEARS AGO I CAME HERE TO IMPLORE YOU TO TAKE SWIFT ACTION ON SYPHILIS AND SOME ACTION WAS TAKEN BUT I RETURNED SIX MONTHS LATER WHEN THE COUNTY DECLARED THAT THAT OUTBREAK WAS OVER AND ASKED YOU NOT TO DO THAT AND TO AGGRESSIVELY ADDRESS THE DISEASE. I COME TO YOU NOW TO ASK FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION ON AN INFECTIOUS WITCH'S BREW OF STAPH, SYPHILIS AND H.I.V. DR. FIELDING MENTIONED TWO INFECTIOUS DISEASE PRACTICES THAT HAVE REPORTED THIS AND THAT IS A.I.D.S. HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION AND TOWER INFECTION DISEASE. FIRST I HAVE TO SAY, HAVING HEARD THE PREVIOUS TESTIMONY FROM THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, THAT I AM APPALLED THAT IT TOOK MORE THAN A YEAR TO CULTURE THESE VERY, VERY AGGRESSIVE WOUNDS. I MEAN I CANNOT IMAGINE HOW BARBARIC THAT IS THAT THAT DID NOT TAKE PLACE FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. I'M JUST FRANKLY OUTRAGED ABOUT THAT. WE HAVE HAD, WE ESTIMATE, ABOUT 100 CASES AT A.I.D.S. HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION AND AND WE KNOW THAT THAT'S JUST A VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE MANY CASES THAT HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED IN THE COMMUNITY OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS. NOW AS BAD AS THE 1,000 CASES ARE IN THE JAIL, THAT IS MORE LIKE THE TRADITIONAL SETTINGS WHERE M.R.S.A. USUALLY TAKES PLACE, NURSING HOMES, HOSPITALS, ET CETERA. THIS COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED DISEASE THAT WE'RE SEEING AMONG OUR PATIENTS IS UNUSUAL AND FOR THAT REASON I THINK EVEN MORE SERIOUS. I WOULD RECOMMEND TO YOU THAT YOU ADOPT SOME FORM OF TEMPORARY REPORTING REQUIREMENT FOR THIS. THIS IS NOT A REPORTABLE DISEASE BUT I THINK GIVEN THE VIRULENCE OF IT AND THE FACT THAT IT IS DRUG-RESISTANT I THINK REQUIRES US TO HAVE MORE INFORMATION, AND WE'LL ONLY DO THAT BY HAVING SOME TYPE OF A REPORTING REQUIREMENT. ALSO IN TERMS OF ADDRESSING SYPHILIS AND STAPH, WE WOULD HAVE TO SPEND SOME MONEY. WE BASICALLY HAD TWO CANARIES IN THE COAL MINE, SYPHILIS AND STAPH AND THOSE CANARIES HAVE SUCCUMBED. AND I'M REALLY FRIGHTENED, VERY, VERY FRIGHTENED, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF BUDGET CUTS THAT WE ARE SEEING THE BREAKDOWN OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM, AND THAT MUST BE FIXED REGARDLESS OF THE BUDGET VAGARIES THAT WE'RE IN NOW. AND, YOU KNOW, IT REALLY BEGS THE QUESTION, IF WE CAN'T DEAL WITH THIS ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH BIOTERRORISM AND OTHER CHALLENGES OF THAT SORT? SO I THINK THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A MULTI-AGENCY TASKFORCE TO FOCUS ON THESE PUBLIC HEALTH OUTBREAKS AND WE NEED DIRECT PARTICIPATION BY THE COMMUNITY, BOTH THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY AS WELL AS THE SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDER COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME.

DR. PAUL DENOUDEN: MY NAME IS DR. PAUL DENOUDEN, I'M A FULL-TIME PHYSICIAN HERE IN LOS ANGELES, AT A.I.D.S. HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION BOTH IN OUR INPATIENT FACILITY AND A DAILY PRACTITIONER IN THE OUTPATIENT CLINIC AND.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: JUST ONE MOMENT, CAN I ASK GENEVIEVE CLAVREUL TO COME FORWARD, AND KAREN MALL.

DR. PAUL DENOUDEN: OKAY I JUST WANTED TO ADDRESS THE ONGOING ISSUES OF THIS RESISTANT STAPH BACTERIAL OUTBREAK THAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING THAT YOU'VE BEEN DISCUSSING CALLED M.R.S.A. AS YOU KNOW IT'S BEEN REPORTED IN DEFINED PRISON POPULATIONS AND HOSPITAL POPULATIONS BUT FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, SINCE ABOUT SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER LAST YEAR, WE'VE BEEN SEEING AN ONGOING COMMUNITY OUTBREAK OF THIS IN OUR OUTPATIENT POPULATION, AS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED. THESE ARE NOT PEOPLE THAT HAVE RECENTLY BEEN IN JAIL OR IN HOSPITALS AND IT'S BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE. I WOULD SAY I'M CONTINUING TO SEE AT LEAST ONE TO TWO CASES A WEEK OF URGENT CARE PATIENTS COMING IN WITH NEW INFECTIONS, EITHER SKIN ABSCESSES THAT NEED TO BE DRAINED OR CELULITIS. AS YOU KNOW THIS IS RESISTANT BACTERIAL INFECTION, ONLY A COUPLE OF ORAL ANTIBIOTICS ARE SOMEWHAT EFFECTIVE OR POTENTIALLY EFFECTIVE AGAINST THIS. OFTEN THESE ARE RECURRENT AND REQUIRE MULTIPLE SURGICAL PROCEDURES WHEN THEY'RE RECURRENT ABSCESSES. ONE OF MY MAIN CONCERNS IS SOME OF THE COMPLICATIONS SEEN. SOME OF MY OWN PATIENTS HAVE STARTED AS AN OUTPATIENT BUT THEN BEEN HOSPITALIZED NEEDING AGGRESSIVE I.V. ANTIBIOTICS AND SURGICAL DRAINING IN THE OPERATING ROOM FOR VERY SEVERE CASES. VIRTUALLY ALL THE PRACTITIONERS I WORK WITH HAVE ALSO SEEN THIS AS WELL. THERE'S CLEARLY SOME INCREASED MORBIDITY HERE AND NOT TO MENTION INCREASED MEDICAL COSTS AND TIME OFF WORK FOR MANY PEOPLE. THIS HAS BEEN SEEN IN BOTH IMMUNO-COMPROMISED PATIENTS AS WELL AS PATIENTS WITH NORMAL IMMUNE SYSTEMS. WE'VE SEEN IT IN PATIENTS WHO HAVE H.I.V. BUT NORMAL T-CELLS WHO ARE NOT OVER IMMUNO- COMPROMISED, IT HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTED IN H.I.V. NEGATIVE PATIENTS. I WOULD SAY THERE'S DEFINITELY A NEED FOR SOME ONGOING AND INCREASED SURVEILLANCE IN THE GENERAL MEDICAL CLINIC POPULATION, OUTPATIENT POPULATION AS WELL AS THE OTHER AREAS WE'VE DISCUSSED AS WELL AS JUST INCREASED EDUCATION FOR ALL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY. THOSE OF US WHO WORK FULL-TIME IN H.I.V. OR INFECTIOUS DISEASE FIELDS ARE USED TO SEEING THIS IN OUR CLINICS BUT AS PATIENTS WILL BE PRESENTING TO THE EMERGENCY ROOMS OR URGENT CARE CLINICS THEY MAY NOT BE AS AWARE OF THE M.R.S.A. ISSUE THAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING. THE SYPHILIS EPIDEMIC HAS ALSO BEEN DISCUSSED AND WE'VE STEPPED UP AGGRESSIVELY OUR SCREENING AND I MYSELF AND VIRTUALLY EVERY PRACTITIONER HAVE CAUGHT MANY SYMPTOMATIC PATIENTS AND THEREFORE BEEN ABLE TO TREAT THEM, PREVENT THE ONGOING TRANSMISSION AS WELL AS PREVENT THE LONG-TERM COMPLICATIONS OF SYPHILIS.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU, DOCTOR AVILA.

DR. GEORGE AVILA: GOOD MORNING I'M DR. GEORGE AVILA, I'M THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AT A.I.D.S. PROJECT LOS ANGELES. I'M A FORMER DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF A.I.D.S. PROGRAMS AND POLICY AND I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN BEHAVIORAL RESEARCH SINCE 1996. I WANTED TO SHARE BRIEFLY WITH YOU AN OVERVIEW OF SOME OF PREVENTION ACTIVITIES THAT A.I.D.S. PROJECT LOS ANGELES HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN IN RESPONSE TO THE SYPHILIS OUTBREAK AND CONTINUED CONCERNS ABOUT H.I.V. AND OTHER S.T.D.S. LET ME FIRST SAY THAT WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT THAT WE'VE RECEIVED FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES AND WE APPLAUD DR. FIELDING'S DECISION TO CREATE AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER HEALTH ISSUES. IN JUNE OF 2002 A.I.D.S. PROJECT LOS ANGELES WAS AWARDED A CONTRACT AND RECEIVED EXECUTED CONTRACTS FROM L. A. COUNTY'S S.T.D. PROGRAM AND THE OFFICE OF A.I.D.S. PROGRAM AND POLICY TO ESTABLISH AND ROUTINELY MAINTAIN HEALTH PROMOTION AND HARM REDUCTION ACTIVITIES IN COMMERCIAL SEX VENUES WHICH INCLUDES BATHHOUSES AND SEX CLUBS THAT CATER TO GAY MEN AND MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN IN THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY AREA. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INFECTION AND TRANSMISSION OF S.T.D.S AND H.I.V. AMONG MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN INCLUDING A FUNDED POSITION THAT SERVES AS A LIAISON BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES AND COMMERCIAL SEX VENUES. WE BECAME FULLY STAFFED IN OCTOBER OF 2002 AND SINCE THAT TIME ONE OF THE MAIN ACCOMPLISHMENTS IS THAT WE'VE ESTABLISHED AN ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF COMMERCIAL SEX VENUES. IN TOTAL EIGHT COMMERCIAL SEX VENUE MANAGERS. WE'VE CONVENED FOUR MEETINGS, THE MEETINGS ARE DESIGNED TO ORCHESTRATE A COORDINATED RESPONSE ON IMPLEMENTING SELF-IMPOSED GUIDELINES, STRICTER GUIDELINES ON HEALTH EDUCATION AND HEALTH PROMOTION ACTIVITIES WITHIN THOSE VENUES. WE'VE ALSO COORDINATED SERVICE PROVIDERS TO COMMERCIAL SEX VENUES IN L.A. COUNTY, WE'VE CONDUCTED FIVE MEETINGS WITH 14 INDIVIDUALS REPRESENTING 8 DIFFERENT AGENCIES FROM AROUND THE COUNTY THAT SERVES THAT POPULATION. WE'VE CONDUCTED A COMPREHENSIVE NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY, INSTRUMENT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS, WHICH WE INTEND TO IMPLEMENT THIS SPRING. WE'VE ALSO COMPLETED THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING CURRICULUM FOR PEER HEALTH EDUCATORS. IN THE SPRING WE PLAN TO CONDUCT A NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF 125 CLIENTELE OF THESE VENUES. WE PLAN TO TRAIN AND CERTIFY A CORE VOLUNTEER HEALTH EDUCATORS FROM THE VENUES. 20 IN TOTAL. WE PLAN TO CONTINUE TO FACILITATE MEETINGS BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES AND COMMERCIAL SEX VENUE MANAGERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS. WE PLAN TO CONDUCT RISK REDUCTION OUTREACH ACTIVITIES WITH MORE THAN 350 MEN IN THESE VENUES AND WE PLAN TO PARTNER WITH TWO NATIONAL BATHHOUSE RESEARCH PROJECTS AND LASTLY WE'VE BEEN ASKED BY THE STATE OFFICE OF A.I.D.S. TO HELP CONVENE A SOUTHERN REGIONAL MEETING OF COMMERCIAL SEX VENUES AND PROVIDERS THAT SERVE THAT POPULATION. I HAVE COPIES OF THE OVERVIEW AS HANDOUTS WITH THE LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE'D LIKE TO SUGGEST. MY LAST COMMENT IS THAT THE LARGEST PROPORTION OF RECENTLY DIAGNOSED SYPHILIS CASES IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY ARE AMONG LATINO MEN, WHICH HAS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE WAYS THAT WE CRAFT MESSAGES TO THE POPULATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU. TERRI FORD, WOULD YOU PLEASE COME FORWARD? YES.

GENEVIEVE CLAVREUL: GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYBE GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS GENEVIEVE, ALSO KNOWN AS DR. GENEVIEVE CLAVREUL. SOMETHING NICE SOME TIME TO BE TITLE TO THE ONE WHO HAVE IT. I'M VERY CONCERNED WHAT IS GOING ON ABOUT THE INFECTION IN THE JAIL. IT IS UNFORGIVABLE THAT FOR MONTHS THEY NEVER TESTED TO SEE IF IT WAS BACTERIA OR A SPIDER BITE. BUT MY MAIN CONCERN RIGHT NOW IS REALLY HOW IT'S GOING TO AFFECT THE GENERAL POPULATION. WE ALREADY HAVE OUTBREAK AND I HEARD VERY LITTLE MENTIONED TODAY IN A NEWBORN NURSERY AND THAT'S SOMETHING REALLY SIGNIFICANT. I AM VERY CONCERNED WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THE JAIL, I'M VERY CONCERNED WHAT HAPPENED IN THE GAY AND LESBIAN COMMUNITY BUT I'M CERTAINLY CONCERNED WHAT HAPPENED IN NEWBORNS AND IN THE HOSPITALS. AND I SUGGEST THAT YOU HAVE A LOOK AT THAT BECAUSE IT'S ALREADY HAPPENING IN L. A. COUNTY. ONE OF OUR LARGER HOSPITAL HAVE HAD AN EPIDEMIC. SO I THINK IT IS WAY OUT OF HANDS RIGHT NOW. AND I SUGGEST YOU DO SOME VERY STRONG LOOKING AT THAT. WHEN IT COME TO THE SYPHILIS CASES, AS A NEW CASE OF H.I.V. AND A.I.D.S. IS A JOKE. WE HAVE H.I.V. OVER TWENTY YEARS WE HAVE SPENT BILLIONS, BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN A.I.D.S PREVENTION AND IT'S NOT WORKING. I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK OF HOW WE DISSEMINATE INFORMATION ABOUT SAFER SEX AND THIS MORNING PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, TELL YOU WE CANNOT PLAN OUR NEW INFECTION IS. THIS IS NOT CORRECT. WE HAVE NEW TESTS, WE CAN IDENTIFY, IF THE H.I.V. INFECTION IS A NEW INFECTION OR A OLD INFECTION. SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, -- I KNOW IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS YOU'RE GOING TO RENEW MANY CONTRACT HAVING TO DO WITH H.I.V. AND A.I.D.S. MANY CONTRACT OF NON-PERFORMING GROUPS. I HIGHLY SUGGEST BEFORE YOU GIVE ANY MORE MONEY YOU LOOK AT THAT AND YOU KNOW WHEN IT COMES TO THE PREVENTION, IT IS ONE THING WE HAVE NOT LOOKED AT IS THE RISK-TAKING BEHAVIOR. AND UNTIL WE DEAL WITH THAT, WHY PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO TAKE RISKS, WE ARE NOT GOING TO FIND THE SOLUTION AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO PREVENT MANY H.I.V. INFECTIONS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU, COULD GEORGE KENSLEA COME FORWARD? KAREN?

KAREN MALL: HI, KAREN MALL WITH A.I.D.S. HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION, I'M THE DIRECTOR OF PREVENTION AND TESTING PROGRAMS. WE DO OVER 1,200 H.I.V TESTS A MONTH AND WE ARE IN THE JAILS, THE SEX CLUBS, THE BATHHOUSES. WE HAVE A MOBILE VAN AND ALTERNATIVE TEST SITES. I ALSO COORDINATE THE "STOP THE SORES" CAMPAIGN WHICH IS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT SYPHILIS AMONG MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN. WHEN WE LAUNCHED THAT CAMPAIGN LAST JUNE AND THE CAMPAIGN IS STILL WITHOUT ITS COMPANION PIECE, AND THAT'S ACCESSIBLE SYPHILIS TESTING. WHAT'S OUTLINED IN YOUR PACKET THAT YOU RECEIVED IS A COMMENDABLE EFFORT BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH BECAUSE THE SEX CLUBS AND THE BATHHOUSES ARE ONLY A PORTION OF WHERE PEOPLE ARE LISTING MEETING THEIR SEXUAL PARTNERS. THEY'RE ALSO MEETING THEM AT DANCE CLUBS, AND NIGHTCLUBS AND BARS AND WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THAT AS WELL. AND THAT MEANS MAKING SYPHILIS TESTING AS ACCESSIBLE AS WE HAVE MADE H.I.V TESTING. THIS MEANS THAT THE INTEGRATION OF H.I.V AND S.T.D TESTING IS CRUCIAL, A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO INTEGRATE H.I.V AND S.T.D SERVICES NEEDS TO BE DEVELOPED SO THAT WE STOP TREATING THESE ISSUES, H.I.V, SYPHILIS, STAPH INFECTION, AS IF THEY'RE SEPARATE AND NOT CONNECTED TO ONE ANOTHER. ALL PROGRAMS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES THAT WOULD BE A PART OF DEVELOPING THAT PLAN NEED TO COLLABORATE WITH THEIR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO ENSURE AN EFFECTIVE, APPROPRIATE AND LONG-TERM STRATEGY IS CONSTRUCTED AND RESOURCES NEED TO BE DEDICATED TO PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT FOR STD TESTING IN ORDER FOR A LONG-TERM EFFECTIVE STRATEGY TO BE SUCCESSFUL. WITH COUNTY CUT-BACKS IN PUBLIC HEALTH CLINICS IT'S TIME TO MAXIMIZE ON THE ALREADY-IMPLEMENTED COMMUNITY-BASED PREVENTION AND TESTING PROGRAMS THAT TARGET HIGH RISK POPULATIONS, HAVE EXCEPTIONAL RISK REDUCTION COUNSELORS AND ARE CAPABLE AND EAGER TO HELP. SO I URGE YOU TODAY TO LISTEN TO WHAT'S BEING SAID AND PLEASE IMPLEMENT AN APPROPRIATE PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE. THANK YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU, COULD DANIEL MONTOYA COME FORWARD. TERRI FORD.

TERRI FORD: GOOD MORNING, I'M TERRI FORD, I'M THE DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY FOR A.I.D.S HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION IN THE FORM OF DIRECTOR OF PREVENTION PROGRAMS. I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE SYPHILIS OUTBREAK SINCE THE BEGINNING OF IT IN THE YEAR 2000. WE'RE PLEASED TODAY THAT THE M.R.S.A STAPH INFECTION IS BEING ADDRESSED BUT WE ALSO URGE YOU TO DESIGN A STRATEGIC PLAN OF ACTION THAT INCLUDES SYPHILIS AND H.I.V AS WELL. WITH SYPHILIS IN PARTICULAR I URGE YOU TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE SUCCESS OF THE BALTIMORE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WHO HAVE ACHIEVED A 65% DECREASE IN SYPHILIS CASES IN BALTIMORE. IT'S A MODEL OF CONSISTENT TARGETED SCREENING AND OUTREACH THAT CAN WORK VERY WELL IN L. A. THE CAPACITY TO DO THIS IS THERE, THE ALLOCATED RESOURCES ARE NOT. SEVEN OUTREACHES PER MONTH BY THE COUNTY MOBILE S.T.D VAN IS NOT ENOUGH AND THAT'S AN UNDERSTATEMENT. SEVEN OUTREACHES A WEEK AT NIGHT IS A MINIMUM OF WHAT IS NEEDED TO MAKE A DENT. REGARDING THE SEX CLUBS AND BATHHOUSES HEALTH DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP IS URGENTLY NEEDED. THESE BUSINESSES ARE NOT REGULATED WHILE H.I.V AND S.T.D INFECTIONS GROW UNABATED. THERE IS ONE BATHHOUSE IN HOLLYWOOD THAT IS LISTED AS THE NUMBER ONE SITE FOR NEW SYPHILIS INFECTIONS BY THE STD PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS ONE OF THE TOP SITES FOR THE NEW STAPH INFECTION. YET, THE OWNER HAS NOT BEEN CALLED TO THE WOOD SHED BY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND HE HAS EVEN REFUSED TO ALLOW H.I.V AND S.T.D TESTING SERVICES AT THE CLUB, EVEN THOUGH THEY COULD BE OFFERED FOR FREE. THAT'S WRONG AND WE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THAT'S ALLOWED. IF HIS BUSINESS WAS A RESTAURANT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN CLOSED BY NOW. ANOTHER SEX CLUB THAT WE ACTUALLY DO TEST IN HAD AN H.I.V INFECTION RATE OF 22% IN JULY. 22%. 2% IS CONSIDERED AN EFFECTIVE PROGRAM OF ACHIEVING -- OF REACHING THESE NEW INFECTIONS. THAT CLUB HAD 22%. YET AGAIN THE OWNER OF THAT CLUB WAS NOT VISITED BY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND ARE NO REGULATIONS IN PLACE. IT'S WRONG. WE REALLY NEED LEADERSHIP FROM YOU ALL. SYPHILIS, STAPH, H.I.V, I URGE YOUR LEADERSHIP IN CREATING AND FUNDING AN INTEGRATED PLAN THAT WILL EFFECTIVELY STOP ALL THREE OF THESE PUBLIC HEALTH THREATS. THANK YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: WERE YOU TESTING FOR SYPHILIS AT THAT FACILITY?

TERRI FORD: YES.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: AND YOU GOT A 22%?

TERRI FORD: WELL THE 22% IS H.I.V. WE DO TEST FOR SYPHILIS IN THAT CLUB. THERE IS HIGH RATES AS WELL. BUT THAT PARTICULAR MONTH IT WAS 22% IN H.I.V, WHICH WAS THE HIGHEST WE'D EVER HAD ANYWHERE.

GED KENSLEA: GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS GED KENSLEA, I'M THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR A.I.D.S HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION. I HANDED OFF A HANDOUT TO THE SHERIFF IF YOU'D BE KIND ENOUGH TO DISTRIBUTE THEM. I'M GOING TO TALK THIS MORNING OR THIS AFTERNOON ABOUT THE PUBLIC AWARENESS AROUND THESE ISSUES AND THE NEED FOR A CONSTANT, STRATEGIC AND VASTLY IMPROVED MEDIA STRATEGY AROUND THESE THREE CONCURRENT OUTBREAKS, SYPHILIS, H.I.V AND THE STAPH INFECTION WITH WHICH YOU'RE DEALING IN THE COUNTY JAIL SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE MSM POPULATION. EVERY TIME THAT A.I.D.S HEALTH CARE HAS DONE ANYTHING WITH REGARDS TO SYPHILIS OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS OR SO OF THE OUTBREAK WE'VE HAD AN INCREDIBLE RESPONSE FROM THE MEDIA AND I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS LACKING, I THINK SOMETHING COULD BE REALLY STEPPED UP WITH REGARD TO THE STRATEGY THAT YOU AS COUNTY OFFICIALS LEADING THIS PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS CAN EMPLOY BOTH ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMPONENT, BUT AS WELL AS A MUCH STRONGER MEDIA OUTREACH. WE DID AN EVENT ON THE 26TH OF DECEMBER THAT HAD AN AMAZING RESPONSE WITH REGARD TO MEDIA TURNOUT SO THERE IS INTEREST IN THIS ISSUE IN THE COMMUNITY AND I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE -- A MORE CONTINUED AND RESPONSIVE EFFORT ON -- FROM THE COUNTY ON THIS ISSUE. ZEV, I APPRECIATE YOU POINTING OUT - AND I'VE INCLUDED ON THE TOP OF THAT, THIS IS FROM LAST YEAR'S SYPHILIS S.T.D REPORTING SYSTEM AND I POINT TO THE HOLLYWOOD WILSHIRE WHICH SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY HAD POINTED OUT, IT'S JUST IT PROVIDES A ROAD MAP, IT'S IMPORTANT AS SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH HAS BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT ACTUALLY HAS GONE ON IN THE COUNTY JAIL SYSTEM BUT WE REALLY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD AGGRESSIVELY WITH THESE THREE CONCURRENT OUTBREAKS. THIS I BELIEVE REALLY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT AS A CONTINUUM OF PUBLIC HEALTH CRISES COMING TOGETHER. WE A.I.D.S HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION PRIOR TO THIS WE HAVE TARGETED A SEPARATE CAMPAIGN IN THE WEST HOLLYWOOD AREA WITH REGARD TO THE SYPHILIS OUTBREAK, , AND THAT IS WHERE THE -- THAT IS WHERE THE INFECTIONS IN SYPHILIS AND THAT IS WHERE I WOULD PREDICT THAT MANY OF THE MSM STAPH INFECTIONS ARE GOING TO BE FOUND, WHEN YOU GET EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CONFIRMATIONS ON THAT. TERRI FORD HAD MENTIONED WITH REGARD TO THE COMMERCIAL SEX VENUES THAT THE ONE IN PARTICULAR IN HOLLYWOOD THAT DOES NOT ALLOW SCREENING, MICHAEL WEINSTEIN HAD SAID THAT PERHAPS YOU GUYS SHOULD CONSIDER AT LEAST AN INTERIM BASIS OF REPORTING OF THIS STAPH INFECTION. BY WAY OF COMPARISON, RESTAURANTS ARE NOW GRADED IN THE COUNTY. YOU HAVE YOUR ABC RESTAURANTS, COUNTY BEACHES, YOU SEE EVERY SATURDAY IN THE L. A. TIMES REPORTING OF THE WATER QUALITY IN THESE FACILITIES. I THINK WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IS A RENEWED AGGRESSIVE, INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO KEEPING THIS ISSUE FOR PREVENTION AND FOR TRACKING IN THE PUBLIC'S EYE WITH REGARD TO THIS THREE-PRONGED OUTBREAK OF SYPHILIS, STAPH AND H.I.V -- INCREASED H.I.V AND PARTICULARLY SO THIS PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS THAT WE ARE FACING RIGHT NOW DOES NOT BECOME A PUBLIC HEALTH CATASTROPHE A YEAR'S HENCE. AND AS WE LOOK BACK, AS SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH LOOKS BACK WITH REGARD TO TRACING SPIDER BITES TO ACTUAL STAPH INFECTION WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED, WHAT I'VE ALSO ENCLOSED IN YOUR PACKET IS ALSO AS WE THE COUNTY AND THE STATE ARE FACING VERY LEAN ECONOMIC TIMES THERE IS A SELECTION OF ANTI-SYPHILIS ADS THAT WERE DONE FROM THE WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION, ONE OF THE TIMES THAT THIS COUNTRY WAS PROBABLY MOST BELEAGUERED FINANCIALLY. SO I WOULD URGE YOU TO LOOK THROUGH THAT AS YOU CONSIDER THE AGGRESSIVE STEPPED UP MEDIA RESPONSE TO GO WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE ON THIS ISSUE AND I THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING IT.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU.

DANIEL MONTOYA: MY NAME IS DANIEL MONTOYA, I'M THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS FOR A.I.D.S PROJECT LOS ANGELES AND I WANT TO THANK ALSO THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR ALLOWING US TO COME AND PROVIDE SOME TESTIMONY. MY COMMENTS ARE IN RELATION TO SORT OF PERSPECTIVE, AND THAT IS THAT I THINK YOU ALL HAVE DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB BY BRINGING SOME OF THESE ISSUES TO THE FOREFRONT BUT ALSO I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT SOME OF THIS TAKES TIME IN THE SENSE THAT, AND I'LL USE OUR OWN TIME LINE THAT WE'VE KIND OF MAPPED OUT FOR YOU ON THE INFORMATION THAT WE GAVE YOU THAT DR. AVILA SPOKE ABOUT BUT, YOU KNOW, IT WAS MAY 2000 WHEN THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES COMMITTED TO CREATING THAT LIAISON BETWEEN D.H.S AND COMMERCIAL SEX VENUES AND IT WASN'T UNTIL JUNE OF 2002 THAT WE A.P.L ACTUALLY RECEIVED SOME OF AWARD MONEYS THAT CAME FROM SOME OF THESE CONVERSATIONS IN ALL OF THOSE MACHINATIONS. IT WILL ALSO TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME AS WE GO FORWARD TO TRY AND WORK AT PUTTING TOGETHER SOME OF THE INNOVATIVE PREVENTION METHODS AND EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS THAT WERE TALKED ABOUT HERE TODAY AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING IN OUR WORK WITH THE COMMERCIAL SEX VENUE OWNERS IN TRYING TO COME ABOUT. SO MY MESSAGE IS SIMPLE IN THE SENSE THAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING SOME WORK IN THE RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME SINCE THESE CONTRACTS WERE EXECUTED AND WE LOOK TO FURTHER RESOURCES IN HOPES OF BEING ABLE TO KIND OF EXPAND THE WORK THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY DOING. I ALSO WANTED TO MENTION THAT AND I THINK IT WAS MENTIONED EARLIER AND I WANT TO UNDERSCORE TWO THINGS. ONE IS AGAIN WE APPLAUD DR. JONATHAN FIELDING FOR HIS WILLINGNESS TO CREATE AN ADVISORY BOARD OF GAY MEN, TO TALK ABOUT GAY MEN'S HEALTH ISSUES. AND WE ALSO WANT TO SORT OF UNDERSCORE THAT AS ALWAYS WITH ANY SORT OF AGENCY, ORGANIZATION OR COMPANY, THERE COULD BE BETTER COORDINATION AND BETTER COMMUNICATION AND WE WOULD ENCOURAGE SOME OF THAT WITHIN THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES TO BETTER ENABLE US TO DO THE WORK WE DO AND TO BE ABLE TO HIGHLIGHT THE WORK -- THE GREAT WORK THAT THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS DOING ITSELF. THANK YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU. IS THERE ANY MOTION THAT ANYONE IS PRESENTING?

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: I JUST -- IF I COULD ASK DR. FIELDING TO COME BACK FOR A SECOND. WHILE YOU'RE WALKING UP, ON THE M.R.S.A, IS THERE ANY IDEA -- DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS -- RIGHT NOW THAT'S NOT REPORTABLE; IS THAT CORRECT?

DR. FIELDING: NO, THAT IS NOT CURRENTLY REPORTABLE.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: SO HOW DO YOU KEEP A -- HOW DO YOU GET A BEAT ON WHAT'S ACTUALLY GOING ON? IN THE JAILS, YOU'VE GOT A LITERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY A CAPTIVE AUDIENCE BUT BEYOND THAT HOW DO YOU KEEP?

DR. FIELDING: WELL THIS IS NEW. IT WAS ONLY IN NOVEMBER THAT WE WERE ALERTED TO THIS IN THE MSM COMMUNITY. AND SINCE THEN WE'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH PROVIDERS WHO PROVIDE SERVICES TO LARGE NUMBER OF GAY CLIENTS AND INFECTION DISEASE DOCTORS AS WELL AND ASK THEM TO LET US KNOW IF THEY SEE CLUSTERS OF CASES. WE COULD MAKE THAT REPORTABLE IN TERMS OF REPORTING A CLUSTER. THE PROBLEM WE HAVE IS THAT REPORTING FOR ALMOST ALL OUR DISEASES IS QUITE LOW. THE RESPONSE RATE FROM PHYSICIANS, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A REQUIREMENT, WE HAVE THIS ROUTINELY. SO I THINK THE MOST LIKELY WAY FOR US TO GET THIS IS TO REDOUBLE OUR EFFORTS WITH THOSE PROVIDERS THAT ARE LIKELY TO SEE SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN AND TO REALLY FOCUS ON REPORTING THIS. WE WILL THEN NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO TRY AND TRACK A LOT OF THIS AS WELL, BECAUSE ALREADY WE'VE BEEN SOMEWHAT STRAINED IN TERMS OF RESOURCES TO TRY AND DO THE KIND OF STUDIES TO ANSWER A LOT OF BASIC QUESTIONS. BUT I THINK THAT IT'S BEEN THE -- THAT INFORMAL WAY THAT WE TEND TO HAVE GOTTEN THE BEST REPORTING. WE CAN CERTAINLY MAKE IT REPORTABLE ON AT LEAST AN INTERIM BASIS AND SEE WHAT KIND OF REPORTING WE GOT.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: ALRIGHT, WHY DON'T YOU INCLUDE THAT IN YOUR BI-WEEKLY REPORT, I'D APPRECIATE IT. I'M NOT GOING TO MAKE A MOTION OTHER THAN TO ASK THAT DR. FIELDING COME BACK ON A BI-WEEKLY OR PROVIDE US IN WRITING, DOESN'T HAVE TO COME BACK PHYSICALLY WITH A BI-WEEKLY REPORT ON THIS -- THIS ISSUE AND THE SYPHILIS ISSUE.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: ALSO IF WE COULD PERHAPS DIRECT DR. FIELDING TO WORK WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TO GET A PROTOCOL PERHAPS, A PROTOCOL ON THE DAILY HYGIENE OF THE INMATES AS WE'VE DISCUSSED.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ON THE BABY -- THE CHILDREN THAT WERE DETECTED, WERE THOSE IN COUNTY HOSPITALS OR CHILD CARE CENTERS? HOW WERE THOSE DETECTED?

DR. FIELDING: THOSE WERE - AND I'M GOING TO ASK ELIZABETH TO HELP ME IF I'M WRONG, THOSE WERE TWO CASES IN A NEWBORN NURSERY, NOT IN AN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT, WHICH IS OFTEN SEEN, WHERE WE OFTEN SEE THESE KINDS OF CASES, THIS WAS IN A NEWBORN NURSERY AND THAT WAS EASILY CONTROLLED.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: I WOULD THINK THAT WE NEED TO HAVE SOME INFORMATION AT ALL OF THOSE NEWBORN FACILITIES AS WELL AS WHEN AN INTAKE IN OUR JAIL. I WOULD THINK THAT THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE CHECKED FOR AS PEOPLE COME IN AND I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THAT PROCEDURE IS BUT I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE PASS ON TO THE SHERIFF THAT THIS BE INCLUDED IN TERMS OF PART OF THE EXAMINATION ON INTAKE.

DR. FIELDING: THAT WAS ONE OF OUR RECOMMENDATIONS, SUPERVISOR. [ INAUDIBLE ].

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU. I DON'T THINK WE NEED A MOTION BUT CERTAINLY IN THE REPORT THAT COMES BACK WE COULD PROBABLY GET SOME INFORMATION ON THAT.

DR. FIELDING: WE'LL DO THAT, SUPERVISOR.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'LL GO TO A-3, WHICH IS THE REPORT FROM C.A.O REGARDING CURRENT STATUS OF STATE BUDGET --.

C.A.O. JANSSEN: THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. EVEN THOUGHT -- EVEN THOUGHT THE STATE BUDGET HAS SEEMED TO GONE UNDERGROUND WITH RESPECT TO ITS COVERAGE THE PROBLEM CERTAINLY HASN'T GONE AWAY, THE GOVERNOR IN HIS PROPOSED BUDGET RELEASED JANUARY 10TH PROPOSED TO ELIMINATE THE BACKFILL TO CITIES AND COUNTIES FOR THE VEHICLE LICENSE FEE. 1.3-BILLION-DOLLARS CURRENT YEAR 2.9 BILLION DOLLARS IN THE BUDGET YEAR. THE LEGISLATURE HAS REFUSED TO TAKE THE ACTION CURRENT YEAR SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE, WE BELIEVE, THE CURRENT YEAR, THE BACKFILL FOR L.A. COUNTY THAT'S $191 MILLION. THE SPEAKER INTRODUCED 4-X, WHICH YOUR BOARD SUPPORTED, TO CLARIFY WHO IN THE ADMINISTRATION HAS THE AUTHORITY TO TRIGGER THE REINSTATEMENT OF THE FEE. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THAT BILL IS STILL BEING HELD BY THE SPEAKER, AND THEY ARE HAVING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR ABOUT WHAT TO DO BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR HAS INDICATED HE WILL VETO THE BILL. IN THE INTERIM, WE FELT THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO TRY TO IDENTIFY THE POTENTIAL IMPACT TO THE COUNTY OF LOSING $472 MILLION NEXT YEAR ONGOING, WHICH IS THE VALUE OF THE BACKFILL TO LOS ANGELES COUNTY. WHEN THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE INDICATED THAT COUNTIES AND CITIES SHOULDN'T BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LOSS OF THE MONEY BECAUSE IT WAS ONLY 5 AND A HALF PERCENT OF THEIR REVENUE, IN ONE CASE 4 AND A HALF PERCENT IN THE OTHER CASE. THE PROBLEM AS YOU WELL KNOW WITH COUNTY BUDGETS IS THAT ALMOST ALL OF THE BUDGET IS LOCKED INTO EITHER PROGRAM EXPENDITURES, MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT REQUIREMENTS OR MATCHING REQUIREMENTS. AND IN FACT ONLY 1.5 BILLION OF THE 16.8 BILLION DOLLARS IS CONSIDERED DISCRETIONARY TO YOUR BOARD, AND THAT IS THE AREA OF THE BUDGET THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE. OF THE BILLION AND A HALF ONE TIME EXPENDITURES ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT $500 MILLION SO WE ASKED THE DEPARTMENTS TO GIVE US INFORMATION ON WHAT A 50% REDUCTION WOULD MEAN IN THEIR BUDGETS, IN THEIR PROGRAMS. SO WE ASKED THE SHERIFF, FOR EXAMPLE, WHAT WOULD $143-MILLION-DOLLAR REDUCTION IN YOUR EXPENDITURES CAUSE. PROBATION, 50 MILLION. DISTRICT ATTORNEY, 32 MILLION. WE HAVE DISTRIBUTED YESTERDAY TO YOUR BOARD OFFICES THE RESULTS OF THAT EXERCISE. WE ASKED THE DEPARTMENTS TO TAKE IT SERIOUSLY, NOT TO PICK THE MOST SENSITIVE OR - ITEMS, YOU HAVE TO APPRECIATE THAT 50% REDUCTION OF THEIR DISCRETIONARY MONEYS IS GOING TO BE SERIOUS. THEY REALLY DON'T HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY OF PICKING AND CHOOSING, THEY'RE ALL GOING TO BE DIFFICULT DECISIONS. BUT ASK THEM TO DO IT IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY COULD STAND BEHIND IT IF WE NEED TO MAKE REDUCTIONS, THAT'S WHERE WE WOULD BE LOOKING FOR THOSE REDUCTIONS. THE SUM TOTAL OF THE IMPACT WAS 4,472 POSITIONS, AND WE DON'T KNOW IF ALL THOSE ARE FILLED OR NOT AND IT WASN'T OUR INTENT TO TRY TO IDENTIFY THAT BUT TO GET A BALLPARK ESTIMATE OF THE IMPACT. AND SOME OF THE SUGGESTIONS, I DON'T WANT TO SAY PROPOSALS FROM DEPARTMENTS, WOULD BE AS FOLLOWS. IN AGRICULTURE, WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, INSPECTOR POSITIONS WOULD BE REDUCED, CREATING DELAYS IN INVESTIGATION OF FRAUD, INSPECTION OF SCALES AND INSPECTIONS FOR PRODUCE, PEST CONTROL AND PESTICIDE. IT HAS IMPACT ACROSS ALL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS, THERE ARE NONE THAT WOULD NOT BE IMPACTED BY THIS. ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL, RESULTING IN THE CLOSURE OF CAL-STATE, CARSON, BALDWIN PARK ANIMAL SHELTERS. ALL FIELD OFFICES WOULD HAVE TO BE CONDUCTED OUT OF THE REMAINING THREE FACILITIES. 75% REDUCTIONS IN FIRST LINE DISASTER RESPONSE. COMMUNITY AND SENIOR SERVICES CURTAILMENT WOULD REQUIRE THEM TO CLOSE 7 OF 11 COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTERS WHICH PROVIDE VITAL PUBLIC SERVICES, SUCH AS EMERGENCY FOOD BASKETS, SHELTER, IMMIGRATION COUNSELING, HEALTHCARE, ET CETERA. DISTRICT ATTORNEY, ALL SPECIALIZED UNITS WOULD BE ELIMINATED. THE LIFEGUARDS. LIFEGUARD SERVICE WOULD BE ELIMINATED AT TORRANCE, REDONDO, MANHATTAN, CABRILLO, DOCKWEILER, AND VENICE BEACHES. THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY. THE DEPARTMENT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO CLOSE SEVERAL PATROL STATIONS AT LOCAL PARKS, ELIMINATE OVER 70 SWORN PARK OFFICERS. THE PARKS DEPARTMENT WOULD REQUIRE THE CLOSURE OF ALL BOTANIC GARDENS, POOLS, AND ALL NATURE TRAILS AND AREAS. PROBATION, CLOSURE OF ALL 18 CAMPS, SIX AREA OFFICES, 4800 MINORS WOULD REQUIRE SOME KIND OF SUPERVISION OUTSIDE OF THE CAMP SETTING. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, 1,100 DEPUTIES WOULD BE IMPACTED AND THE SHERIFF WOULD CLOSE PART OF CENTRAL JAIL, IMPACTING 2900 FELONY AND MISDEMEANOR INMATES AND ALSO ELIMINATE SAFE STREETS BUREAU, STATION LEVEL NARCOTICS, CHILD ABUSE INVESTIGATIONS, ET CETERA. SO WHILE THE GOVERNOR HAS GONE OUT OF HIS WAY TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE STATE BUDGET, THE ELIMINATION OF THE -- ONE OF THE DISCRETIONARY REVENUES THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS WILL INEVITABLY RESULT IN THE REDUCTION OF PUBLIC SAFETY. BECAUSE OVER 50%, OR ABOUT 50% OF THE DISCRETIONARY MONEY THAT WE RECEIVE IN AREAS WHERE IT'S FLEXIBLE GO TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE THOSE REDUCTIONS WITHOUT CUTTING INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT. THERE STILL IS OBVIOUSLY DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO V.L.F. LONG-TERM. THE GOVERNOR IS OBVIOUSLY, AT THIS POINT, NOT INTERESTED IN SOLVING THE PROBLEM FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT. HE APPARENTLY WANTS IT RESOLVED AS PART OF THE OVERALL BUDGET, BUT WE NEED TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT ANY KIND OF RESOLUTION THAT ELIMINATES THE BACKFILL IS GOING TO HAVE DEVASTATING IMPACT ON SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED LOCALLY. THE ONLY OTHER COMMENT THAT I WOULD MAKE AT THIS TIME, BECAUSE WE DO HEAR AND WILL CONTINUE TO HEAR THE ARGUMENT THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS TO SHARE THE PAIN, AND WE CERTAINLY HAVE NO PROBLEM CONCEPTUALLY WITH THAT, WE ARE PART OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, BUT WHAT THEY NEED TO REMEMBER, AND THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT THE COUNTY -- COUNTIES HAVE BEEN SHARING THE PAIN SINCE 1993, WHEN THE STATE TRANSFERRED THE PROPERTY TAX TO SCHOOLS TO HELP WITH THE DEFICIT THAT THEY HAD IN THEIR BUDGET AT THAT TIME. SINCE THAT TIME, LOS ANGELES COUNTY HAS TRANSFERRED 8.6 BILLION DOLLARS OF OUR PROPERTY TAX TO SCHOOLS. $8.6 BILLION THAT WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE TO YOU TO DEAL WITH LOCAL PROBLEMS. THE PROP 172 SALES TAX BACKFILL THAT WAS GOING TO MITIGATE THAT PROBLEM HAS BROUGHT IN $4.7 BILLION. WE ARE SHORT ALMOST $4 BILLION OVER THAT TIME PERIOD, AND IN THE CURRENT YEAR, WE WILL LOSE $525 MILLION OF PROPERTY TAX THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, YOU NAME IT. SO LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN SHARING THE PAIN AND L.A. COUNTY IN PARTICULAR HAS BEEN DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY THE TRANSFER OF PROPERTY TAX AND THE BACKFILL FROM PROP 172 SALES TAX. WE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP YOU ADVISED AS SACRAMENTO CONTINUES TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE BUDGET. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER AREAS THAT WE'VE PREVIOUSLY REPORTED WHERE WE WILL BE IMPACTED FROM FEES AND C.Y.A. TO S.B. 90, BUT TODAY I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT THE V.L.F. BACKFILL AND THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS, THANK YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? ADJOURNMENTS?

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: OH I HAVE ONE ADJOURNING MOTION.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: YOU WERE HOLDING A COUPLE OF MATTERS I THINK .

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: I ASK THAT WE ADJOURN IN THE MEMORY OF ARMANDO KASADA, WHO RECENTLY PASSED AWAY, HE WAS THE BROTHER OF MY FORMER DEPUTY, LUPI HARAMIO, AND HE'S A FORMER MARINE, HE SERVED HIS COUNTRY IN THE VIETNAM CONFLICT. IT'S MY ONLY ADJOURNING MOTION. AND I WAS HOLDING ITEM 11 AND I JUST, FOR THE PURPOSES OF MAKING AN AMENDMENT, I WOULD JUST ADD WHEN I MAKE THIS AMENDMENT I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SUPPORT AB 83, THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENT'S ONE SPECIFYING METHOD FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORTS SUCH AS POSTING THE REPORT ON VENDING MACHINES OR AT RETAIL WATER FACILITIES, OR PROVIDING INFORMATION ON THE BOTTLE LABEL AND TO EXEMPT WATER HAULERS FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE A CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT. SO I'LL MOVE THAT.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MOVED --

SUP. ANTONOVICH: I'LL SECOND IT.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: SECONDED, MOVED BY YAROSLAVSKY, SECONDED BY ANTONOVICH. WITHOUT OBJECTION AS AMENDED, THIS ITEM IS APPROVED.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: I WAS HOLDING ITEM NUMBER 19. I THINK A NUMBER OF US WERE HOLDING ITEM 19. I WANTED TO JUST ASK THAT ON PAGE 2, UNDER SECTION 1.2 OF THE REPORT ON CHILD WELFARE SERVICES AND FOSTER CARE, THE THIRD ITEM FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE, "SUPPORT PROPOSALS TO CREATE STATUTORY AUTHORITY TO APPOINT RECEIVERS FOR GROUP HOMES FOR CHILDREN", THAT THAT ITEM BE REFERRED BACK TO THE C.A.O.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ON PAGE --

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: SO ON PAGE TWO OF THE CHILD WELFARE SERVICES, IT SAYS, IT'S THE THIRD --

C.A.O. JANSSEN: THE SECOND FROM THE BOTTOM, THE SECOND OR THIRD?

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: THIRD FROM THE BOTTOM, "SUPPORT PROPOSALS TO CREATE STATUTORY AUTHORITY TO APPOINT RECEIVERS FOR GROUP HOMES FOR CHILDREN". I ASK THAT THAT BE REFERRED BACK TO THE C.A.O. I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING ANYWHERE, AND THAT'S ALL I HAD ON THAT ITEM 19. I KNOW OTHERS WERE HOLDING IT AS WELL. SO I WOULD MOVE THAT THAT ITEM BE REFERRED BACK.

SUP. KNABE: YEAH, MADAM CHAIR, I HAD SOME ITEMS AS WELL.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: IT'S MOVED AND SECONDED.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: REFER THAT BACK.

SUP. KNABE: I HAD SEVERAL ITEMS.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: WITHOUT OBJECTION THAT BE AMENDED, AND YOU HAD, DID YOU HAVE ANOTHER AMENDMENT?

SUP. KNABE: WELL I JUST HAD SOME "NO" VOTES, ON SOME OF THESE THINGS -- AND THIS IS DIRECTED AT THE C.A.O. FIRST -- DAVID? IF I COULD MAKE A SUGGESTION ON THIS REPORT THAT WE GET, YOU KNOW, SORT OF SUBTITLES UNDER THESE THINGS SO THAT WHEN WE GO THROUGH THEN WE CAN PICK THEM OUT EASIER, JUST LIKE YOU HAD TO SAY "THIRD FROM THE BOTTOM", IF THERE'S 1.2, WHATEVER IT MAY BE, BECAUSE THERE'S A NUMBER OF THESE ISSUES. WHEN WE VOTED -- WHEN THE BOARD VOTED TO CLOSE RANCHO, THIS IS A QUESTION FOR DAVID, AND OBVIOUSLY RESERVE THE OPTION TO CONSIDER NEW PROPOSALS THAT MAY SAVE RANCHO, INCLUDING THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT, IS THERE A LEGISLATIVE ACTION REQUIRED TO MAKE THAT TRANSITION AND IF SO I'D LIKE TO SEE IT PART OF THIS PACKAGE.

C.A.O. JANSSEN: SUPERVISOR I AM ASSURED BY THE DEPARTMENT THAT IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO HAVE SUCH A LEGISLATION.

SUP. KNABE: FOR NOT-FOR-PROFIT?

C.A.O. JANSSEN: THAT'S CORRECT, CERTAINLY IF WE FIND THAT IT IS, WE'LL IMMEDIATELY INTRODUCE SOMETHING.

SUP. KNABE: OKAY. ALL RIGHT. NEXT, LET'S SEE... ON PAGE 21, UNDER "REVENUE AND TAXATION," NUMBER 2 AND NUMBER 3, SUPPORT A LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE THE COUNTY WITH A GREATER FLEXIBILITY AND SUPPORT A PROPOSAL FOR FEE ON ALCOHOL. I WANT TO BE JUST RECORDED AS A "NO" VOTE ON THOSE. AND THEN ALSO THE -- ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR -- FIFTH DOWN, SUPPORT A LEGISLATION -- I'M OKAY IN THAT.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT.

SUP. KNABE: OKAY, AND I JUST WANT TO BE RECORDED AS A "NO" ON THOSE TWO ITEMS. AND THEN ON PAGE --

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: WAIT A MINUTE, ON ITEM 9, THE THIRD ONE DOWN, WHAT WAS THE OTHER ONE?

SUP. KNABE: THE SECOND AND THIRD.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THE SECOND ONE DOWN?

SUP. KNABE: THE SECOND AND THIRD, I WANTED TO BE RECORDED AS A "NO" VOTE.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: OKAY.

SUP. KNABE: OKAY, AND THEN ON PAGE 28, JUST BEFORE UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE, I WANT TO BE RECORDED AS A "NO" VOTE ON THAT AS WELL, TO SUPPORT A LEGISLATION TO REDUCE THE VOTE REQUIREMENT. AND THE REST OF IT, I'M OKAY WITH.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO, MADAM CHAIR, TO VOTE "NO" ON PAGE 22 RELATIVE TO INCREASING SALES TAX, INCREASING THE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION TAX, INCREASING THE SALES TAX ON PER CAPITA AND THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION ON THE CHILD BILL OF --

SUP. KNABE: THAT'S ON PAGE 21, AND THAT WAS THE TWO THAT I POINTED OUT, I THINK IT'S ON 21.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: 22, IT'S PAGE 22.

SUP. KNABE: YOU HAVE DIFFERENT --

C.A.O. JANSSEN: YES, WE DO.

SUP. KNABE: WE HAVE DIFFERENT REPORTS? OH HOW SPECIAL.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: MAYBE HE HAD A DIFFERENT REPORT MINE'S ON PAGE 22 SO.

SUP. KNABE: OKAY, NO I SAID WE DO HAVE --

C.A.O. JANSSEN: MINE'S ON 22 ALSO AND.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: ALSO, ON PAGE 23, OPPOSE LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE A TRIAL BUT "NO" VOTE FOR PROPERTY TAX APPEALS AND ON PAGE 28, PROPOSE THE -- TO REDUCE THE VOTING REQUIREMENT FOR ENACTING A COUNTY-WIDE SALES OR GASOLINE TAX MEASURE.

C.A.O. JANSSEN: SAME AS SUPERVISOR KNABE.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: AND ALSO, IF THERE ARE OTHER -- I DON'T KNOW IF THE -- I ALREADY OPPOSED THE V.L.F. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S IN HERE AGAIN.

C.A.O. JANSSEN: I THINK THE V.L.F., THE REFERENCE THAT I SEE, WAS ON PAGE -- ON OUR PAGE 22, WHICH WAS SUPPORT THE BACKFILL WHICH YOU'RE FINE FILL RIGHT.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: OKAY, YOU'RE BIT VIOLET?

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT. SUPERVISOR MOLINA, DID YOU HAVE ANY --

SUP. MOLINA: I HAVE AN AMENDMENT ON MINE. THIS IS FOR ITEM 19. RIGHT?

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: YES.

SUP. MOLINA: I HAVE AN AMENDMENT, I THINK MY STAFF COULD PASS IT OUT IF HE HASN'T ALREADY. IN 2002, THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE DID NOT PASS A BUDGET UNTIL TWO MONTHS INTO THE NEW FISCAL YEAR. THE 16TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR IN WHICH THE LEGISLATURE HAS FAILED TO ADOPT A BUDGET BY THE CONSTITUTIONAL DEADLINE. THIS RECALCITRANCE ON THE PART OF THE LEGISLATURE HAS VERY REAL CONSEQUENCES FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY AGENCIES. CITY AND COUNTIES ARE FORCED TO MAKE BUDGET DECISIONS BASED ON SPECULATION ABOUT WHAT WILL BE SIGNED, WHAT A SIGNED BUDGET MIGHT LOOK LIKE AND THEN REVISE AND REVISE AGAIN WHEN THE STATE BUDGET IS ULTIMATELY FINALIZED. COMMUNITY SERVICE AGENCIES THAT RELY ON STATE FUNDS FOR A PART OF THEIR PROGRAMS TURN TO REVOLVING CREDIT LINES TO COVER PAYROLL WHILE WAITING WORD FOR THEIR FUNDING AWARDS. ONE FACTOR THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE ANNUAL DEADLOCK OVER THE BUDGET IS THE REQUIREMENT FOR A SUPERMAJORITY OR TWO-THIRDS VOTE TO ADOPT THE BUDGET. CALIFORNIA IS ONLY ONE OF THREE STATES, ALONG WITH ARKANSAS AND RHODE ISLAND, WITH THIS REQUIREMENT. THIS TWO-THIRDS VOTE REQUIREMENT IS A MAJOR OBSTACLE IN ENACTING A BUDGET IN A TIMELY MANNER. FURTHER, UNDER EXISTING LAW LEGISLATORS FACE NO SANCTIONS WHEN THEY FAIL TO ENACT A BUDGET BEFORE THE CONSTITUTIONAL DEADLINE. ASSEMBLY MEMBER JOHN LONGVILLE HAS INTRODUCED ASSEMBLY CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 1, A.C.A.-1, TO PROVIDE LEGISLATORS WITH THE TOOLS AND THE INCENTIVE TO PASS A BUDGET IN A TIMELY MANNER. FIRST, A.C.A.-1 PROVIDES THAT IF A BUDGET BILL IS NOT ENACTED BY THE START OF A NEW FISCAL YEAR LEGISLATORS FORFEIT THEIR PAY UNTIL THE BUDGET IS PASSED. SECOND, A.C.A.-1 PROVIDES THAT A BUDGET AND ANY RELATED LEGISLATION MAY BE PASSED BY A MAJORITY VOTE. BOTH THE CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION REVISION COMMISSION AND THE CALIFORNIA CITIZENS BUDGET COMMISSION HAVE RECOMMENDED A MAJORITY VOTE FOR BUDGET PASSAGE. IT IS A LOGICAL STEP AND A REMEDY FOR THE LONG COSTLY BUDGET BATTLES OF THE LAST DECADE. I THEREFORE MOVE THE BOARD TAKE A POSITION ON A.C.A. AND SEND A FIVE SIGNATURE LETTER TO ASSEMBLYMAN JOHN LONGVILLE, CHAIR OF THE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS, REAPPORTIONMENT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS AND TO THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY DELEGATION AND THE GOVERNOR URGING SUPPORT OF A.C.A.-1 AND THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR 2003/2004 BE AMENDED TO REFLECT SUPPORT FOR THIS A.C.A.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: IS THERE A SECOND?

SPEAKER: SECOND.

SUP. KNABE: ROLL CALL.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: I WANT TO VOTE "NO" ON THAT.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: I WOULD LIKE TO SPLIT THE QUESTION ON THAT. I SUPPORT THE ELIMINATION OF THE TWO-THIRDS VOTE. ONE PERSON CAN HOLD UP OR A FEW PEOPLE CAN HOLD UP A BUDGET. USUALLY THEY JUST STOP THE CLOCK AND I GUESS THAT WOULD PREVENT ANY OF THIS FROM GOING INTO EFFECT WHEN THEY STOP THE CLOCK, BUT IT SEEMS TO ME TO BE A BETTER APPROACH TO SAY THAT LEGISLATORS ARE NOT GOING TO BE PAID UNTIL THERE'S A BUDGET WHEN A FEW PEOPLE HOLD IT UP, I'M NOT PREPARED TO VOTE FOR THAT. BUT I -- FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO ASK THAT WE SPLIT THE QUESTION ON -- FIRST, ON THE MAJORITY -- SIMPLE MAJORITY INSTEAD OF SUPERMAJORITY. WOULD YOU CALL THE ROLL?

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: SUPERVISOR MOLINA.

SUP. MOLINA: AYE.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: AYE.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: SUPERVISOR KNABE.

SUP. KNABE: NO.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: NO.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: AND SUPERVISOR BURKE.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: AYE. THAT PORTION IS PASSED. ON THE SECOND PORTION?

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: ALL RIGHT, SUPERVISOR MOLINA.

SUP. MOLINA: AYE. I HOPE I'M VOTING CORRECTLY.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THAT'S ON THE SALARY.

SUP. MOLINA: YEAH I UNDERSTAND, I SUPPORT THE SALARY LIMITATIONS. IS THAT CORRECT? OKAY.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: ABSTAIN.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: SUPERVISOR KNABE.

SUP. KNABE: NO.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: NO.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: AND SUPERVISOR BURKE.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: NO. THAT PORTION OF IT DOES NOT PASS, SO WE WILL PROVIDE A 5-LETTER ON THE SUPERMAJORITY ISSUE.

SUP. KNABE: I THINK THAT MAY BE A THREE-SIGNATURE.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: A THREE-SIGNATURE LETTER?

SUP. KNABE: YEAH.

SUP. MOLINA: BUT LET'S LEAVE THOSE SPACES BLANK.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: YEAH, LEAVE THE SPACES BLANK. OKAY.

SUP. KNABE: FINE BY ME.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT. NOW, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE IT WITH THE INDICATIONS OF THE EXCEPTIONS THAT WE HAVE RECORDED? I'M NOT GOING TO TRY TO GO THROUGH THEM.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: SO MOVED.

C.A.O. JANSSEN: MADAM CHAIR, I HAVE ONE MORE -- I HAVE AN AMENDMENT I NEED TO MAKE TO ONE OF THE ITEMS --

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: OKAY, CERTAINLY.

C.A.O. JANSSEN: BEFORE YOU DO THAT, ON ATTACHMENT 2, ITEM NUMBER 3, WHICH HAS TO DO WITH THE WRIT PROCEDURE, AND YOU'VE ALREADY, I THINK, DEALT WITH THE BILL SPECIFICALLY, WE WANT TO AMEND THIS TO HAVE IT A BROADER IMPLICATION RATHER THAN JUST A WRIT SO THAT ITEM NUMBER 3, INSTEAD OF SAYING ESTABLISHMENT OF A WRIT PROCEDURE WOULD BE ESTABLISHMENT OF --

SPEAKER: WHAT PAGE ARE YOU ON?

C.A.O. JANSSEN: PAGE -- OUR PAGE ONE, THEIR PAGE TWO. ATTACHMENT 2. SO YOU HAVE TO GO TO -- IT'S AFTER PAGE 30.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: AND THIS WOULD BE --

C.A.O. JANSSEN: IT'S TO --

SUP. KNABE: WATER QUALITY?

C.A.O. JANSSEN: NO. IT'S ATTACHMENT 2 COUNTY SPONSORED PROGRAM SPECIFIC NUMBER 3, ESTABLISHMENT OF A WRIT PROCEDURE FOR PLACEMENT ORDERS OF CHILDREN.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: OH, OKAY. IT'S ON MY PAGE 2.

C.A.O. JANSSEN: RIGHT. IT'S ON OUR PAGE 1.

SUP. KNABE: I DON'T HAVE AN ATTACHMENT 2.

C.A.O. JANSSEN: YOU DON'T HAVE ATTACHMENT 2?

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: AND YOUR AMENDMENT WOULD BE.

C.A.O. JANSSEN: IT WOULD BE TO ESTABLISH ESTABLISHMENT OF PROCEDURES TO SHORTEN APPEALS AFFECTING THE ADOPTION OF CHILDREN, SO IT'S BROADER THAN JUST WRIT, AND THEN THE LAST, IT WOULD -- THEREFORE IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT COUNTY SPONSOR LEGISLATION TO SHORTEN THE AMOUNT OF TIME ON ADOPTION APPEALS.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: I WOULD SO MOVE. IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT? IS THERE A SECOND?

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: SECOND.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT, IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO THAT AMENDMENT? HEARING NONE, THEN THE -- WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS. IT'S BEEN MOVED BY YAROSLAVSKY, SECONDED BY ANTONOVICH THAT WE APPROVE THE AGENDA WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN READ INTO THE RECORD BY EACH ONE OF THE MEMBERS. SO I WOULD SAY THAT ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE, AND IF YOU HAVE AN EXCEPTION, JUST SAY NO, AND THEN WE'LL SAY IT AT THIS --

SUP. KNABE: SO AS LONG AS IF THE RECORD REFLECTS OUR "NO" VOTES.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT. SO THE RECORD WILL SHOW THE "NO" VOTES. THE AMENDMENT IS THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM IS ADOPTED WITH THE EXCEPTIONS AS RECORDED. DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER ITEMS, IF NOT, SUPERVISOR KNABE, FOR YOUR ADJOURNMENTS.

SUP. KNABE: MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, I MOVE TODAY THAT WE ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF EDWARD DAVENPORT, PASSED AWAY ON FEBRUARY 4, 2003. HE DEDICATED MORE THAN 40 YEARS OF HIS LIFE TO PROTECT AND SERVE THE PEOPLE OF LONG BEACH. CAPTAIN DAVENPORT JOINED THE LONG BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT IN 1962 AND SERVED ON SEVERAL UNITS, INCLUDING PATROL, MOTORCYCLE PATROL, AND SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS. DAVENPORT'S LONGEST ASSIGNMENT BY FAR WAS WITH THE S.W.A.T. TEAM. HIS MANY YEARS OF DEDICATION TO THE ELITE UNIT EARNED HIM THE NICKNAME PAPPA S.W.A.T. AMONG HIS FELLOW OFFICERS. HE DIED SUDDENLY THE OTHER DAY AT THE POLICE TRAINING RANGE. HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE, BEVERLY, CHILDREN ROBERT, DARREN, AND CHRISTIE, THREE BROTHERS, ONE SISTER, AND SIX GRANDCHILDREN. ALSO THAT WE ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF SISTER RAYMUNDE MCKAY, SHE WAS THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF MERRYMOUNT COLLEGE WHO HELPED COMPLETE THE MERGER WITH LOYOLA UNIVERSITY THAT FORMED LOYOLA MERRYMOUNT UNIVERSITY, THE LARGEST CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. ALSO THAT WE ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF ROBERT ROMERO. HE'S SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE, GAYLE ANN. HIS CHILDREN, CRYSTAL, MARK, AND JAMIE, AND HIS BROTHER, ANDREW. ALSO WE ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF MR. DOUGLAS MARTIN. HE CO-FOUNDED THE WEST SIDE CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING IN MAR VISTA AREA AND WAS CONSIDERED A HERO IN THE DISABLED COMMUNITY BECAUSE OF HIS ACTIVISM IN HIS HELPING SECURE PASSAGE OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973 AND THE A.D.A ACT OF 1988. HE'S SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE RAYLYNN RAINE AND HIS MOTHER JULIA. ALSO THAT WE ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF DR. LEO JAMES GROLD, A RESIDENT AND PRACTICED PSYCHIATRY IN THE COMMUNITY OF DEL RAY FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. HE WAS VERY ACTIVE IN NUMEROUS PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND WAS AN INSTRUCTOR AT THE 1996 OLYMPICS DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TRAINING PROGRAM. HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE, JAN AND HIS CHILDREN, ERIC, KEVIN AND KATHY.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: SO ORDERED.

SUP. KNABE: I BELIEVE THE ONLY ITEM THAT I HAD HELD WAS ITEM 19, AND WE DID THAT ALREADY.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: I WOULD LIKE TO FIRST MOVE THAT WE ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF CHRISTINE SOH, WHO WAS A STUDENT AT CRESCENTA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL WHO WAS TRAGICALLY KILLED THIS PAST WEEK CROSSING THE SCHOOL'S CROSSWALK BY A INTOXICATED DRIVER. OUR OFFICE IS ALSO GOING TO -- I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH COORDINATING A MEETING WITH THE L.A. COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS, THE CITY OF GLENDALE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE GLENDALE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL TO IMPROVE THE AWARENESS OF THE DANGERS OF THE AREA AND TO ENHANCE THE ROAD SAFETY IN THAT AREA. IT'S A STREET THAT'S SHARED BY TWO JURISDICTIONS. ONE SIDE IS THE CITY OF GLENDALE AND THE OTHER SIDE IS THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, AND A DESIRE TO WORK TO MITIGATE ANY FUTURE TRAGEDIES FROM THAT. I WOULD MOVE THAT WE ADJOURN IN CHRISTINE'S MEMORY. ALSO, DOROTHY JENSON, A LONG-TIME RESIDENT WHO PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 80. SHE WAS AN INTERIOR DESIGNER AND DID ENGLISH GARDEN LANDSCAPING, WAS A VERY GOOD FRIEND, QUITE ACTIVE IN THE CHURCH ON THE WAY IN VAN NUYS. A VERY LONG-TIME FRIEND AND GOOD FAMILY FRIEND, JOE COTTAGE WHO PASSED AWAY, HE WAS QUITE ACTIVE IN THE DALMATION CLUB OF SAN PEDRO AND MANY OF THE ACTIVITIES. ALSO HE WAS A ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE SHRINE. HE LEAVES A SON, JULIO, AND A DAUGHTER. ALSO IN MEMORY OF DR. JOHN WILSON, WHO WAS A FORMER CHIEF OF SURGERY AT SAINT VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER AND CHIEF OF STAFF AND CHIEF OF SURGERY FOR THE QUEEN OF ANGELS MEDICAL CENTER AND ON THE STAFF AT GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL, ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE KNIGHT OF THE SAINT GREGORY KNIGHT OF MALTA AND THE KNIGHT OF THE HOLY SEPULCHER. AND MARILYN CANFIELD WHO PASSED AWAY, SHE WAS ADMINISTRATOR AT THE P.E.O. RETIREMENT HOME PRIOR TO RETIRING, AND WAS ACTIVE AT THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN GLENDALE FOR MORE THAN 52 YEARS. ALSO, WE DISCUSSED THE ISSUE OF MISSING SEX OFFENDERS AND HELPING TO FIND THEM, JUDGE J.D. SMITH HAS GIVEN US A PROPOSAL SO I'D LIKE TO GIVE THAT TO THE C.A.O. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FROM THE JUDICIARY WHO WOULD LIKE TO ASSIST IN THAT. SO GET A REPORT ON THAT, DAVID, AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE, MADAM CHAIR. DID YOU DO THE ARTS COMMISSION?

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: SUPERVISOR MOLINA, DO YOU HAVE ADJOURNMENTS? SHE DOESN'T HAVE ADJOURNMENTS? DOES SHE HAVE ADJOURNMENTS? WE HAVE ANOTHER MEETING THAT WE HAVE -- I'M SORRY. WE HAVE ANOTHER MEETING WE HAVE TO CALL ANYHOW AT 11:30, WE HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING, SO I WILL CALL THAT SPECIAL MEETING AT THIS TIME, AND IF SHE HAS ADJOURNMENTS, WE CAN TAKE THEM AT THE CONCLUSION OF THAT. WOULD THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SERVICE PLEASE COME FORWARD. WHILE WE'RE GIVING OUT ACCOLADES, I REALLY WANT TO THANK OUR NEGOTIATING TEAM FOR THE WORK THEY DID ON THE WAIVER OF THE -- AND WORKING WITH THE STATE AS WELL AS WORKING WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH C.M.S. WE DO APPRECIATE ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND WE RECOGNIZE YOU'RE JUST IN THE MIDDLE OF IT, TO THE C.A.O. AND TO YOU, MR. GARTHWAITE, TO YOU, MR. LEAF, DR. GARTHWAITE AND MR. LEAF. WE DO APPRECIATE THE KIND OF WORK YOU'VE DONE AND WE KNOW YOU'RE IN THE MIDDLE, YOU HAVE A LOT MORE TO GO, BUT I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE AT THIS TIME TO SAY YOU HAVE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB.

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THIS MORNING, AS I GOT UP EARLY TO TRY TO BRAVE THE RAIN-SOAKED FREEWAYS, I NOTICED THE ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS WERE BEING ANNOUNCED, AND AT THE RISK OF SOUNDING LIKE AN AWARD RECIPIENT THAT GOES ON TOO LONG AND WHILE I RECOGNIZE THERE'S STILL MUCH WORK TO DO I WANT TO JUST TAKE A MOMENT ALSO TO THANK MANY PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN FOR THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE TO STABILIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES. TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR SUPPORTING THE RESTRUCTURING, FOR THE COURAGE TO PROPOSE MEASURE B AND FOR YOUR TIRELESS SUPPORT AND IN GETTING THE ENGAGEMENT OF STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS. TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, TO THE GOVERNMENT AND HIS STAFF, SUSAN KENNEDY, RICHARD FIGERO, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, GRANLYN JOHNSON, DIANA BONTA, GIL MARGOLES, PETER MACLAR, PETER HARBICH AND ESPECIALLY STAN ROSENSTEIN. TO THE COUNTY, DAVID JANSSEN, BURT MARGOLAN AND LEAH KAPURE, WHO HAVE THIS AMAZING ABILITY TO FOSTER DEBATE THEN TO ACHIEVE CLARITY AND CONSENSUS. AND WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES FRED LEAF WHO GETS IT DONE EVERY DAY ON TIME, AND OUR AMAZING BRAIN TRUSTS OF JOHN WALLACE, JOHN FRIEDMAN, GARY WELLS, ALAN WECKER, DENISE RODRIGUEZ, INGRID LAMERO, JEFF GUTERMAN, AZAR KITAN, JOHN FIELDING AND JOHN SCHUNHOFF, ALL WHOM CONTRIBUTED ENORMOUSLY TO THIS MEASURE. AND FINALLY AND CERTAINLY NOT LEAST TO THE S.C.I.U WHO STEPPED FORWARD AND POUNDED THE PAVEMENT FOR MEASURE B AND CONTRIBUTED MONEY FOR THE ADVERTISEMENTS WHICH I THINK WERE ALSO HELPFUL IN ITS PASSAGE. THIS HAS BEEN REALLY A TEAM EFFORT IN MANY WAYS AND I CAN'T THANK EVERYONE AND EVERYONE I'VE FORGOTTEN ENOUGH. THESE ARE TOUGH ISSUES AND I THINK EVEN TOUGHER TIMES LIE AHEAD. THE STATE'S BUDGET DEFICIT AND THE PRESIDENT'S MEDICAID REFORM PROPOSALS PREDICT THAT THIS TEAM HAS A TOUGH SCHEDULE AHEAD OF IT. OUR CURRENT STATUS AS DETAILED TO YOU IN TODAY'S REPORT DOCUMENT IS THAT WE HAVE TAKEN ANOTHER LARGE STEP TOWARDS FINANCIAL STABILITY AT THE SCENARIO THREE LEVEL. I THINK IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WE CANNOT REVERSE DECISIONS ALREADY MADE, BUT THE FEDERAL AND STATE ACTIONS ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY HELP TO PREVENT FURTHER CUTS BEYOND THOSE ALREADY TAKEN, AT LEAST IN THE NEAR TERM. WE HAVE CONSIDERABLE WORK REMAINING, HOWEVER. WE MUST ACCOMPLISH THE EFFICIENCIES AND REDUCTIONS THAT YOU'VE ALREADY VOTED FOR IN SCENARIO 3. WE MUST CONTINUE AND ACCELERATE OUR TRANSFORMATION OF HOW CARE IS DELIVERED IN THE COUNTY HEALTH SYSTEM. AND FINALLY, WE MUST CONTINUE OUR WORK WITH THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON FOUR REMAINING ISSUES. DISH FLEXIBILITY, WHICH IS REALLY THE PROGRAMMATIC ISSUE THAT WE'VE TALKING ABOUT FOR YEARS HERE. THAT IS TO REMOVE THE PERVERSE INCENTIVE TO TREAT PATIENTS ON AN IN-PATIENT SIDE WHEN AN OUT-PATIENT TREATMENT IS MORE APPROPRIATE. TO ACHIEVE THE PROPOSED BUT NOT COMPLETED MEDICAL RATE ADJUSTMENTS, MEDI-CAL RATE ADJUSTMENTS, TO EXPAND THE IMPACT OF MEASURE B BY MATCHING PART OF THE MONEYS AND GOING TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR TRAUMA CARE. AND FINALLY, FOR REMOVING BARRIERS TO IMPROVING OUR MEDICARE PAYOR MIX. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT. WE WELCOME YOUR QUESTIONS.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? YES, SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: NO QUESTIONS.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: PARDON ME? OH. SUPERVISOR KNABE?

SUP. KNABE: ARE YOU -- ON THE DISH FLEXIBILITY, IS THAT GOING TO BE -- WHAT'S THE POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL REVENUE SOURCE THERE, DO YOU THINK?

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: ESTIMATING ABOUT THE 25 TO 30 MILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR ONGOING.

SUP. KNABE: AND THEN YOU MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT INCREASE IN MANAGED CARE MEDI-CAL RATES?

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: THAT'S IN THE RANGE OF $40 MILLION PER YEAR.

SUP. KNABE: AND THEN THE MEASURE B MATCH WOULD BE...

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: I DON'T KNOW -- WE POTENTIALLY COULD MATCH UP TO 25, BUT WE THINK IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE LOWER THAN THAT, EVEN 15 TO 20 MILLION.

SUP. KNABE: I GUESS MY QUESTION GOES BACK, YOU KNOW, THIS POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL REVENUE AND THE EARLY CLOSURE OF RANCHO, YOU INDICATED ABOUT A 60-MILLION-DOLLAR SAVINGS, AND THAT -- THESE DOLLARS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR REPORT OF LAST JUNE 26TH, CORRECT?

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: CORRECT.

SUP. KNABE: SO I'M JUST -- AND I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS ON THE TABLE, BUT I MEAN OBVIOUSLY THE ISSUE THAT I HAVE WAS THAT THERE MIGHT BE SOME CUSHION AT LEAST FOR SOME SUPPORT OVER TRANSITION OF RANCHO INTO NOT-FOR-PROFIT AT SOME POINT DOWN THE ROAD SHOULD ALL THESE THINGS COME TOGETHER? IS THAT SOMETHING WE CAN LOOK AT, OR...

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, THE COMBINATION OF ACTIONS IF ALL THE THINGS THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT COME TO PASS, IT PUTS US IN A LOT BETTER STRAIT TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS, THAT'S OBVIOUSLY THE BOARD'S DECISION.

SUP. KNABE: YEAH, OKAY. THANK YOU.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: MADAM CHAIR? ON -- JUST SO I'M CLEAR, ON THE RANCHO SAVINGS, YOU'VE SHIFTED THAT FROM A LATER YEAR TO AN EARLIER YEAR. ISN'T THAT THE CASE?

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: RIGHT.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: SO IN JUNE, YOU DID HAVE -- IN THE GLOBAL PICTURE YOU DID HAVE SAVINGS FROM THE RANCHO CLOSURE, TAKING IT OFF THE COUNTY BUDGET.

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: RIGHT.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: CALCULATED IN A LONG-TERM SCENARIO.

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: BUT WE GAINED AN EXTRA 56 MILLION BY MOVING IT UP A YEAR AND THAT WAS I BELIEVE IN OCTOBER.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: YOU GAINED AN EXTRA 56 MILLION OVERALL?

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: RIGHT.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: OKAY, BECAUSE YOU MOVED IT UP?

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: ONE TIME. RIGHT.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: NO I'M NOT DONE.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: OH I'M SORRY.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: YOU KNOW, I WANT TO JUST COMMEND THE WHOLE TEAM AND JUST ECHO WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE WHOLE TEAM, AND IT WAS A GOOD TEAM EFFORT, AND NOT LEAST OF WHICH ARE THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTY WHO STEPPED UP AND ASSESSED THEMSELVES A PROPERTY TAX FOR THE TRAUMA AND E.M.S. SYSTEM. I THINK WITHOUT THAT, I THINK WE ALL KNOW WE'D BE -- THAT THIS BIG P.R. ANNOUNCEMENT ON LAST FRIDAY WOULD HAVE AMOUNTED TO VERY LITTLE. IT WOULD NOT HAVE PREVENTED THE CLOSURE OF TWO ADDITIONAL HOSPITALS, NOT TO MENTION THE ONES WE'RE ALREADY TALKING ABOUT CLOSING. SO IT WAS A BIG DEAL, AND IT WAS A TEAM EFFORT. NOW, I JUST WANT TO ZERO IN ON THE SAVINGS, ON THE CUTS AND THE SO-CALLED EFFICIENCIES AND ALL THAT SORT OF THING, BECAUSE WHAT WE NEED TO KEEP REMINDING OURSELVES IS THAT TO BRING THIS THING INTO BALANCE, IF WE EVER DO BRING IT INTO BALANCE, IT REQUIRES SEVERAL HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS IN THESE CUTS IN EFFICIENCIES. IS THAT CORRECT?

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: CORRECT.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: AND THE RANCHO DECISION WHICH THE BOARD MADE TWO OR THREE WEEKS AGO IS PART OF THAT. THE HIGH DESERT IS PART OF THAT. THE CLOSURE OF THE 11 CLINICS, WHICH ARE ALREADY CLOSED, ARE PART OF THAT. THE DOWNSIZING OF L.A. COUNTY U.S.C. IS PART OF THAT.

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: CORRECT.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: THE EFFICIENCIES AT MARTIN LUTHER KING.

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: CORRECT.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: AND WHAT IS THE ANNUAL SAVINGS IN THOSE SPECIFICALLY, IF I COULD ASK, JUST ON M.L.K?

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: I'VE GOT THAT COMING.

FRED LEAF: YEAH ON THE 16% EFFICIENCIES IN 5-6 THE CUMULATIVE TOTAL WOULD BE 61.9 MILLION DOLLARS.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: AND WHAT IS IT ANNUALLY AS YOU WORK YOUR WAY INTO IT, WHAT ARE YOU ASSUMING THIS YEAR FOR EXAMPLE?

FRED LEAF: 02-03 IS 2.8 MILLION --

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: 2.8?

FRED LEAF: THE FOLLOWING YEAR 20.9, THE FOLLOWING WOULD BE 46.2, THE FINAL YEAR WOULD BE A TOTAL OF 60.1.

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: LIKE 21 THIS YEAR.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: AND -- SO ALL OF THOSE THINGS, EACH ONE OF THOSE THINGS, IT'S 60 MILLION HERE, IT'S 70 MILLION THERE, AND IT ADDS UP TO SEVERAL HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. FAILURE TO ACHIEVE THAT IS -- IT MEANS THAT WE PUT OTHER PARTS OF OUR SYSTEM IN JEOPARDY AND I THINK WE NEED TO KEEP REMINDING OURSELVES OF THAT. I KNOW THAT THE CHAIR MADE THAT STATEMENT, THAT VERY CLEAR ON FRIDAY AT THE ANNOUNCEMENT. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO REMEMBER THAT THIS IS A VERY DYNAMIC BUSINESS. JUST THE MEDICAID PROPOSALS THAT ARE BEING PROPOSED NOW BY THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION, JUST A STROKE OF THE PEN IN WASHINGTON CAN COST US A HUNDRED OR 200 MILLION DOLLARS WITHOUT THEM EVEN THINKING ABOUT IT OR KNOWING ABOUT IT, JUST AS A STROKE OF THE PEN PRODUCED AN EXTRA HUNDRED MILLION OR 50 MILLION DOLLARS ON FRIDAY. THE LORD GIVETH, THE LORD TAKETH AWAY, AND WE'VE BEEN USUALLY THE TAKETH AWAY SIDE OF THE EQUATION MORE THAN ON THE RECEIVING END, SO I JUST DON'T GET A LOT OF COMFORT LEVEL WHEN WE'RE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FOOD CHAIN, AND THAT'S WHERE WE ARE. THE LAST THING I WANT TO SAY, AND I WANT TO KIND OF LEAD TO A MOTION WHICH MS. MOLINA AND I WANT TO INTRODUCE, AND THAT IS, I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT THE PRIVATIZATION OR THE CONVERSION TRANSITION OF RANCHO INTO A PRIVATE NONPROFIT. I DON'T THINK THERE'S A SINGLE ONE OF US WHO DOESN'T WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN AND WHO ARE TRYING TO HELP MAKE THAT HAPPEN. AND I'LL JUST TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY, IF THERE'S A BILLIONAIRE WITHIN THE SOUND OF MY VOICE WHO WANTS TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THAT, CALL ME AT 213-974-3333, CALL COLLECT, AND I'M SURE MR. KNABE AND THE REST OF US WILL TAKE THAT CALL, TOO, BUT I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT WE NOT DELUDE OURSELVES, AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT AT THIS JUNCTURE, I THINK A NUMBER OF US HAVE FOLLOWED THIS, A NUMBER OF US HAVE TALKED TO JACK SHAIKLEY, JACK WAS HERE TWO OR THREE WEEKS AGO WHEN WE HAD THIS ITEM BEFORE US, AND I GIVE HIM A LOT OF CREDIT, HE IS WORKING HARD TO TRY TO PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER HERE, BUT HE'LL BE THE FIRST TO TELL YOU HE HASN'T PUT IT TOGETHER YET, BUT HE'S OPTIMISTIC. BUT I THINK WE NEED TO SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE TO YOU AND TO EVERYBODY OUT THERE WHAT CONSTITUTES SUCCESS. AND, YOU KNOW, THINGS LIKE, WELL I GOT TO, YOU KNOW, THE HEAD OF THE GARTHWAITE FOUNDATION IS ON A FISHING TRIP IN NEPAL BUT HE'LL BE BACK IN THREE WEEKS AND I KNOW I CAN GET A COUPLE MILLION OUT OF HIM. THAT'S NOT A COMMITMENT. YOU KNOW, AND I THINK THE TEMPLATE I WOULD USE IS WHAT WE USED IN THE DISNEY CONCERT HALL WHEN WE WERE SEEKING ASSURANCE, IF THAT'S THE RIGHT WORD, EVEN GUARANTEE FROM THE PRIVATE DONORS, IT WAS MORE OF A GUARANTEE, BEFORE WE PROCEEDED DOWN THE PATH OF THAT PROJECT, THAT WE NEEDED SOME KIND OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT, FINANCIAL GUARANTEE, A PLEDGE, A LEGALLY-BINDING BINDING PLEDGE FROM THE DONORS, THE PRIVATE DONORS, THAT THEY WERE THERE. SO WHEN SOMEBODY SAID, "I'M GIVING FIVE MILLION OR 10 OR 15 MILLION DOLLARS TO DISNEY CONCERT HALL", IT WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A SIGNED PLEDGE THAT HAD SOME LEGAL AND FINANCIAL BACKING BEHIND IT, AND THAT'S THE ONLY WAY THAT YOU EVER WOULD HAVE SIGNED OFF OR YOUR PREDECESSOR WOULD HAVE EVER SIGNED OFF ON PROCEEDING DOWN THE CONSTRUCTION PATH, BECAUSE WE DIDN'T WANT TO GET STUCK IN THE MIDDLE HOLDING THE BILL, WITH A BILL HOLDING THE BAG. AND THAT'S THE SAME SITUATION I'M CONCERNED ABOUT HERE AND I THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER THE AMOUNT OF MONEY IS, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS THAT GETS YOU TO A TRANSITION PLAN THAT THEN GETS YOU TO A PRIVATE NONPROFIT, WHETHER IT'S 25 OR 50 OR $75 MILLION OVER A TWO OR TWO-1/2-YEAR PERIOD. I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW LONG THE PERIOD IS, THAT ONCE WE MAKE THAT DETERMINATION, THAT IT'S GOT TO BE MORE THAN "I KNOW I CAN GET A FEW MILLION BUCKS OUT OF THAT FOUNDATION OR OUT OF THAT PHILANTHROPIST". IT'S GOT TO BE THAT THE PHILANTHROPIST HAS SIGNED ON THE DOTTED LINE AND SAID "I'M GOOD FOR IT AND HERE'S WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO GET IT, AND HERE'S IN WHAT INCREMENTS YOU'RE GOING TO GET IT AND WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO GET IT" AND THAT SORT OF THING. AND IT'S DONE IN THE PHILANTHROPIC WORLD ALL THE TIME AND I THINK THAT'S A STANDARD WE HAVE TO SET. THE SECOND THING I WANT THAT'S ALSO PART OF THIS MOTION IS I THINK THE TIME NOW IS -- HAS COME TO BEGIN TO HOLD YOUR FEET TO THE FIRE ON ALL OF THE CUTS AND EFFICIENCIES, DEPENDING ON ONE'S POINT OF VIEW AND DEPENDING ON THE CUTS, AND FOR YOU TO -- AS PART OF YOUR UPDATES AND -- YOU KNOW, AS PART OF THIS COMMITTEE THAT HOLDS ACTIVITIES, THAT YOU PRESENT US WITH A PROGRESS REPORT ON A REGULAR BASIS OF WHERE YOU ARE ON THE EFFICIENCIES AT M.L.K., WHERE WE ARE ON RANCHO, WHERE WE ARE, I MEAN COUNTY U.S.C. IS PRETTY SIMPLE, BUT THE OTHERS ARE NOT THAT SIMPLE, AND WHAT WE'VE DONE, WE'VE DONE, WHAT WE STILL NEED TO BE DOING, I'M PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE THINGS THAT ARE DIFFICULT, THAT ARE GOING TO TAKE SOME -- WELL, THEY'RE JUST PLAIN DIFFICULT, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MOVING ALONG THOSE LINES BECAUSE IF WE'RE NOT, THEN THAT CHANGES ALL OF YOUR ASSUMPTIONS AND EVERY ONE OF YOUR SPREADSHEETS, BIG TIME. AND THERE ARE THREE COMPONENT PARTS TO THE SOLUTION -- TO THE STABILIZATION, I WOULDN'T CALL THIS A SOLUTION, THE STABILIZATION OF OUR PROBLEM, THE BIGGEST CHUNK WAS MEASURE B. THE SECOND BIGGEST CHUNK IS THE CUTS. AND ONLY THE THIRD BIGGEST CHUNK, THE LEAST OF IT, IS THE FEDERAL AND STATE MONEY. SO IF, YOU KNOW, MEASURE B IS THERE, BUT IF THE CUTS AND THE EFFICIENCIES AREN'T THERE, THEN YOU'VE JUST BALLOONED OUR PROBLEM RIGHT BACK TO WHERE IT WAS AND WE'RE BACK TO TALKING ABOUT A TWO-HOSPITAL SYSTEM INSTEAD OF A FOUR-HOSPITAL SYSTEM. AND THAT'S REALLY BEEN THE DEBATE FROM DAY ONE AS WE'VE BEEN GOING -- THE ISSUE -- THE CHOICE FOR US HAS BEEN WHETHER WE GO FROM SIX TO TWO HOSPITALS OR FROM SIX TO FOUR HOSPITALS. AND I KNOW WE HAVE A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION ABOUT WHERE WE SHOULD BE, BUT THAT'S BASICALLY BEEN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUR TWO OPTIONS, AND THANKS TO THESE OTHER FACTORS THAT HAVE COME INTO PLAY, WE ARE NOW REASONABLY ASSURED FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE OF BEING IN A FOUR-HOSPITAL SYSTEM AS OPPOSED TO SOMETHING LESS THAN THAT. SO I WANT TO READ THIS MOTION. THAT'S THE PREAMBLE. [LAUGHS] AND I'LL SPARE EVERYBODY THE PREAMBLE, THEREFORE, AND JUST READ THIS. MS. MOLINA AND I JOINTLY BRING THIS IN. WE THEREFORE MOVE THAT THIS BOARD REQUIRE THAT ANY PLAN PRESENTED TO IT TO KEEP RANCHO LOS AMIGOS REHABILITATION HOSPITAL OPEN UNDER PRIVATE NONPROFIT OWNERSHIP INCLUDE FIRM COMMITMENTS FOR DOWNSIZING AND COST ADJUSTMENTS, A SOLID BUSINESS PLAN FOR OPERATING WHILE TRANSITIONING TO A NONPROFIT STATUS AND PRO FORMA FINANCIALS WHICH DEMONSTRATE THE VIABILITY OF THE HOSPITAL UNDER NONPROFIT GOVERNANCE. WE FURTHER MOVE THAT EACH SUBSEQUENT MEETING OF THIS HEALTH DEPARTMENT BUDGET COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, THE DEPARTMENT BE INSTRUCTED TO PRESENT A DETAILED REPORT ON THE STATUS AND DEPARTMENT-WIDE COST SAVINGS WHICH THE DEPARTMENT IS COMMITTED TO ACHIEVE AND THE BOARD APPROVED LAST JUNE. THIS INCLUDE $37 MILLION IN SAVINGS EXPECTED TO BE ACHIEVED AT L.A. COUNTY U.S.C. AND MARTIN LUTHER KING HOSPITALS ALONE, AS WELL AS SAVINGS IN OUR COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CENTERS -- HEALTH CENTERS -- PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES, PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES, P.P.P. VISITS, ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS, AND OTHER CATEGORIES. OBVIOUSLY WE HAD A TYPO THERE. AND THE FIRM COMMITMENTS ALSO ARE FIRM COMMITMENTS FOR FINANCIAL -- FOR PRIVATE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS, WHICH IS MISSING IN THIS. WE NEED TO HAVE THAT AS PART OF ANY PROPOSAL THAT YOU ACCEPT AS REALISTIC. AND IT'S ANOTHER WAY OF SAYING THAT IF YOU DON'T HAVE THOSE KINDS OF COMMITMENTS, AND YOU DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF CONFIDENCE, THEN I DON'T THINK, JUDGING BY WHAT WE'LL DO HERE TODAY, IS YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE CONFIDENCE OF THE BOARD THAT THAT'S A VIABLE PLAN. SO VIABILITY IS CRITICAL TO ANYTHING WE DO IN THE WEEKS AHEAD. WE'VE GIVEN THEM BASICALLY -- WE HAVEN'T GIVEN THEM -- YOU'VE GIVEN THEM, BY YOUR OWN PROCESSES, 60 DAYS BEFORE YOU START TO EXECUTE THE CLOSURE PLAN. THEY ARE SCURRYING TO TRY TO SALVAGE THIS AND SALVAGE HAS TO BE DEFINED AS FIRM COMMITMENTS, A BUSINESS PLAN, A FINANCIAL PLAN, A PRO FORMA LONG-TERM SO THAT WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE GETTING INTO AS WE DID WITH THE CONCERT HALL AND WITH A LOT OF OTHER THINGS THAT WE DON'T END UP BEING LEFT HOLDING THE BAG, SO THAT'S MY MOTION -- OUR MOTION.

SUP. KNABE: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 60 DAYS AND YOUR MOTION? I MEAN --

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: NOTHING. THIS IS -- THIS IS JUST A -- AN AMENDMENT TO TODAY'S REPORT.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: I WOULD HAVE ONE QUESTION. WHEN CAN WE EXPECT TO GET SOME KIND OF AN ESTIMATE OF WHAT THIS PRO FORMA SHOULD SAY, AND EXACTLY WHAT THE REQUIRED COMMITMENTS THAT WILL BE NEEDED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS IN ORDER TO MAKE SOME OF THESE PROJECTIONS? AT THIS POINT, WE HAVE NO REAL NUMBERS OF WHAT WOULD BE REQUIRED, BECAUSE AS MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE COST OF OPERATING IT AS A PUBLIC FACILITY IS CONSIDERABLY DIFFERENT THAN THE COST IN OPERATING IT AS A PRIVATE FACILITY. THERE ARE ALSO SOME THINGS THAT WOULD BE DEPENDENT UPON CONTRACTS THAT WOULD BE ENTERED INTO WITH H.M.O.S, P.P.O.S AND OTHERS THAT I'M NOT SURE WHETHER OR NOT YOU WOULD HAVE THOSE ENTERED INTO PRIOR TO THE TIME WE MAKE OUR COMMITMENT. SO MY QUESTION WOULD BE TO DR. GARTHWAITE, WHEN WILL WE GET THE NUMBERS SO WE CAN KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE ON -- FOR YEAR ONE, YEAR TWO, AND YEAR THREE. AND ALSO, MY NEXT QUESTION WOULD BE OF SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY, WOULD THAT ANTICIPATE THAT THOSE CONTRACTS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO MAKE IT VIABLE ALSO BE ENTERED INTO PRIOR TO THE TIME THAT THE ENTITY EXISTS FOR US TO GO FORWARD WITH THE ENTITY.

C.A.O. JANSSEN: I'D LIKE TO SAY A COUPLE THINGS.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: IS THAT ANTICIPATED IN YOUR MOTION? THAT'S REALLY NOT VERY CLEAR.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: I DON'T KNOW WHICH ONE YOU WANT TO HAVE ANSWERED FIRST.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT, I'LL ASK DR. GARTHWAITE FIRST.

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: LET ME SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS NOW JUST FOR IT TO AMPLIFY, WE'VE BEEN MEETING WITH SEVERAL STAFF, CLINICIANS, FINANCIAL STAFF, OTHERS ALONG WITH GIL BALZANO, THE CONSULTANTS HIRED BY THE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND THEIR STAFF. WE'VE HAD SEVERAL MULTI-HOUR MEETINGS, I THINK THERE'S ONE GOING ON THIS AFTERNOON PROBABLY AS WE SPEAK. WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO, THE BEST-CASE SCENARIO OUT OF THIS FOR RANCHO IS TO BE A SMALLER, DOWN-SIZED SUBUNIT AS A BRIDGE TO NONPROFIT, SO WE'RE FULL BORE TO THAT MODEL. WE'RE SIMULTANEOUSLY TRYING TO GET THE FINANCES OF THAT MODEL DETERMINED AS WE DEVELOP THE MODEL AS TO WHAT IT MIGHT BE. I'M NOT -- I DON'T KNOW. WHAT DO YOU THINK IN TERMS OF THE TIMING?

SUP. KNABE: AND THAT'S THE HUNDRED-BED MODEL. CORRECT?

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: RIGHT. 135-BED.

FRED LEAF: 150 WITH THAT.

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: WE'RE LOOKING AT A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT ONES, THAT'S PROBABLY A COUPLE -- A MONTH MAYBE, OR LESS, A COUPLE OF WEEKS?

FRED LEAF: YES, THE CONSULTING GROUP WORKING FOR THE FOUNDATION HAS COMMITTED TO HAVING IT TO US A COUPLE OF WEEKS PRIOR TO THE DATE IT'S DUE TO THE BOARD IN THE 60, 70-DAY TIME FRAME, SO I WOULD SAY IN ABOUT THREE MORE WEEKS WE WOULD BE ABLE TO REVIEW THE FIRST DRAFT OF THEIR FEASIBILITY STUDY, AND THEN ONCE AS DR. GARTHWAITE MENTIONED, WE COME UP WITH THIS CONFIGURATION THAT WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE FOUNDATION AS FAR AS SELLING IT AS A PRIVATE -- PUBLIC ENTITY -- I MEAN A NONPROFIT OPERATION, ONCE WE COME UP WITH THAT MODEL THAT THEY BELIEVE WOULD BE SOMETHING THEY WOULD WANT TO MAINTAIN AS THEY TRANSITION, THEN WE'LL KNOW THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT AND WHAT IT -- HOW MANY YEARS IT WOULD TAKE TO TRANSITION IN THE COSTS ASSOCIATED AS FAR AS THE BOARD, THE SUPERVISORS WOULD HAVE TO APPROVE IN TERMS OF NET COUNTY COSTS AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: IS IT ANTICIPATED THAT WE WOULD ACTUALLY ESTABLISH THIS NONPROFIT, OR ARE WE ANTICIPATING THAT WE WOULD TRY TO FIND SOME EXISTING FACILITY THAT WOULD COME IN AND STEP IN OR SOME PRIVATE NONPROFIT THAT WOULD COME IN SEPARATE AND APART FROM SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD ESTABLISH, OR IS THAT -- HAVE WE COME TO THAT POINT YET?

FRED LEAF: NO.

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: THE WAY I'VE UNDERSTOOD IT WAS THAT THE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IS WELL ESTABLISHED IN NOT-FOR-PROFIT IN THEIR RECRUITING BOARD MEMBERS SURVEY, IS MY UNDERSTANDING.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: OKAY, I SEE.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: THE ANSWER YOUR QUESTION THAT YOU ASKED OF ME, IS I THINK THAT'S WHAT THEIR CONSULTANT SHOULD ADDRESS WHEN THEY COME BACK TO US. THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO ADDRESS EVERYTHING IN THE NEXT THREE WEEKS, BUT THEY'LL BE ABLE TO TELL YOU WHAT THEY CAN ADDRESS AND WHAT THEY CAN'T AND WHY NOT AND HOW THEY PLAN TO ADDRESS IT IN THE LONG-TERM, AND THAT'S NOT FOR US TO DO, IT'S REALLY FOR US TO RECEIVE THE REPORT. I THINK THEY'RE ALREADY THINKING IN THOSE TERMS, THAT'S WHEN THEY ADDRESSED US HERE A FEW WEEKS AGO, THAT WAS WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT, BUT THIS IS THEIR -- THEY'VE TAKEN ON THE CHALLENGE. THEY WILL GIVE US -- THEIR CONSULTANT IS PREPARED -- SHOULD BE PREPARED TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES, SO I'M --

SUP. KNABE: YEAH I MEAN THAT WAS THE WHOLE PART OF THEIR REPORT, IS THE INABILITY OF THE COUNTY TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS AND THOSE THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO A NOT-FOR-PROFIT VERSUS A PUBLIC FACILITY. SO THEY'RE BEING VERY AGGRESSIVE IN THEIR BUSINESS PLAN IN GETTING THOSE DOLLARS AND HOPEFULLY YOU'RE RETURNING IN KIND YOUR ABILITY TO GIVE THEM THE NUMBERS THAT THEY NEED AS TO WHAT THE COUNTY COSTS WOULD BE WITHOUT A RANCHO AS WELL, TOO SO.

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: RIGHT. LIKE I SAY, WE'VE HAD PROBABLY THREE OR FOUR MEETINGS ALREADY.

SUP. KNABE: YES I MEAN THE CRITICAL ELEMENT IS THAT DOWN-SIZED VERSION. I MEAN, THE NUMBERS DON'T WORK UNLESS YOU -- I MEAN, WHEN YOU SAY 150, I THOUGHT YOU WERE TALKING A HUNDRED BED, MAYBE 125 MAX, THE NUMBERS THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT, AND -- YOU MENTIONED A HIGHER BED COUNT.

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: WE'VE LOOKED AT - WE'VE ORIGINALLY LOOKED AT A HUNDRED AND 150 BEDS WITH OCCUPANCY BEING ABOUT 130 SOME PATIENTS VERSUS 80 PATIENTS. AND RIGHT NOW, YOU KNOW, THE PART WE'RE WORKING WITH THEM WITH IS TO RETAIN THE RIGHT STAFF SO WE HAVE THE RIGHT MIX OF REHAB AND MEDICAL SERVICES. [ MIXED VOICES ].

SUP. KNABE: BUT REDUCED BED NUMBER IS A CRITICAL ELEMENT IN THIS WHOLE PROCESS, NOT AS IT STANDS TODAY.

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: CORRECT. COMPLICATED BY SOME OF THE PATIENTS YOU PUT IN THE BEDS BRING MONEY WITH THEM AND SOME DON'T, AND SO WE'VE GOT TO WORK THOSE MODELS THROUGH SO.

FRED LEAF: BUT INCLUDED IN THEIR PLAN IS, THE KEY ELEMENT IN THEIR PLAN IS THE TRANSITION PERIOD, HOW LONG THEY ASSUME IT WILL TAKE THEM TO TRANSITION OVER TO THE NONPROFIT AND THEN KEY TO THAT IS DURING THAT TRANSITION PERIOD, DEPENDING ON HOW LONG IT IS, WHAT WILL IT COST FOR US, THE COUNTY, TO MAINTAIN THE FACILITY AND WHAT WILL BE THE TRANSITION MONEY COMING IN TO OFFSET THAT COST.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: WELL, I MEAN, THEIR WHOLE REASON D'ETRE RIGHT NOW IS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THAT TRANSITION PERIOD. IT'S NOT A COUNTY RESPONSIBILITY. IT'S GOING TO BE THEIR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY. NOW, DEPENDING ON WHERE THEY COME BACK, WE MAY -- WHO KNOWS, BUT THIS IS PRECISELY WHY I BROUGHT THIS UP, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT THERE TO BE, AT LEAST SPEAKING FOR MYSELF, ANY AMBIGUITY ABOUT WHERE THIS IS GOING. YOU KNOW, WE MADE A DECISION ON THIS, A GUT WRENCHING DECISION, BUT WE MADE THE DECISION ABOUT IT FOR THE REASONS WE'VE ALREADY DISCUSSED, THAT IT'S EITHER PUT THIS AT RISK OR PUT THE REST OF OUR MISSION AT RISK, AND IT'S ONE OF THOSE TOUGH CHOICES THAT WE HAD TO MAKE. WE'RE NOT IN A POSITION TO COME BACK AND SAY "NEVER MIND." WE JUST CAN'T DO THAT, OR WE'RE GOING TO BE RIGHT BACK THREATENING TO CLOSE HARBOR U.C.L.A OR OLIVE VIEW OR BOTH, AND CLOSING OTHER CLINICS AND P.P.P.S. SO THAT'S PRECISELY WHY I'VE BEEN NERVOUS, BECAUSE PEOPLE AROUND HERE START TALKING THEMSELVES INTO THINGS, AND I'VE DONE IT MYSELF. I'M NOT IMMUNE FROM THIS DISEASE. YOU END UP DELUDING YOURSELF BY TALKING YOURSELF INTO THINGS AND ONLY REMEMBERING THE GOOD THINGS, IT'S KIND OF LIKE ANESTHESIA, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU COME OFF ANESTHESIA, YOU DON'T REMEMBER THE PAIN, AND I'M CONCERNED THAT WE NOT GET INTO THAT MODE AND THAT YOU NOT GET INTO THAT MODE AND THAT THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT'S EXPECTED OF THEM. WE'RE NOT GOING TO FUND THIS TRANSITION PERIOD. WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO FUND THE TRANSITION PERIOD. AND WHEN JACK SHAIKLEY CAME HERE, WHEN HE'S TALKED TO US, YOU KNOW, PRIOR AND SINCE, IT'S ABOUT RAISING THE FUNDS FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD. THE LONG-TERM, ONCE IT GETS INTO A PRIVATE NOT FOR PROFIT, THE IDEA IS THAT IT'LL BE SELF-SUSTAINING AND WE WON'T NEED TO BE TALKING ABOUT THIS ANYMORE, BUT FOR OUR CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE INDIGENT, WHATEVER OUR CONTRIBUTION IS TO COVER OUR LEGALLY OBLIGATED PATIENTS. SO THAT'S PRECISELY MY CONCERN AND I'VE MENTIONED IT YOU AND I JUST -- I THINK THAT THEY NEED TO KNOW THIS. THIS IS NOT -- IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A GAME WHERE, AT THE 11TH HOUR -- BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN DOWN THIS ROAD, ESPECIALLY AT THIS PARTICULAR FACILITY BEFORE, WHERE AT THE 11TH HOUR, SOMETHING COMES UP AND THEN THE PRESSURE'S OFF. NOW, I DON'T KNOW THAT ANYBODY HERE WANTS TO GO THROUGH ANOTHER BEILENSON HEARING. I DON'T.

SUP. KNABE: LET JUST BE ASSUMING TO ME I CERTAINLY DON'T SAY "NEVER MIND.".

SUP. YAROSLAVKSY: I'M NOT, NO I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT YOU, DON.

SUP. KNABE: I MEAN THIS ISSUE, I THINK IT'S VERY CLEAR THAT THE FOUNDATION HAS THEIR MISSION AND IT'S THE TRANSITION DOLLARS, IF IT DOESN'T GO IT DOESN'T GO, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE TO LOOK SOME PLACE ELSE OR YOU CLOSE THE FACILITY, YOU GUYS MADE IT VERY CLEAR WITH YOUR VOTE, I'M NOT SAYING, "NEVER MIND" WE'RE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO TRY TO RAISE THOSE DOLLARS NECESSARY, I DON'T THINK ANYONE HAS ANY, I MEAN I DON'T KNOW WHO YOU'RE REFERRING TO, YOU'RE NOT REFERRING TO ME BUT I DON'T THINK ANYONE HAS ANY DELUSIONS THAT WE'RE NOT ABLE TO, IF WE'RE NOT ABLE TO RAISE THOSE DOLLARS, THAT RANCHO COULD BE GONE.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: I'LL TELL YOU WHO I'M REFERRING TO AND I'LL BE VERY SPECIFIC ABOUT WHO, I'M REFERRING TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT BUREAUCRACY AND THE BUREAUCRACY DOWN THERE AT RANCHO, AND I'M TALKING ABOUT ALL OF US, ALL OF US, INCLUDING ME, WHO, FROM TIME TO TIME, GET SWEPT UP IN THE IDEA, "WELL, GEE, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, HE'S COMING BACK FROM HIS FISHING TRIP IN NEPAL, I'M SURE HE'LL COME THROUGH WITH $3 MILLION, THE FOUNDATION'S ENDOWED WITH 200 MILLION, SO I'M SURE THEY CAN AFFORD 3 MILLION 'CAUSE WE THINK IT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE WORLD" ONLY TO FIND OUT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN, AND WE'VE BEEN DOWN THAT ROAD COLLECTIVELY BEFORE, AND I'M SORRY YOU TOOK IT AS THOUGH I WAS AIMING AT YOU, 'CAUSE I'M NOT, AND I SPOKE TO IT LAST TIME, THAT THERE IS A BODY OF INERTIA IN THIS ORGANIZATION CALLED THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES WHICH LIKES TO TAKE THINGS TO THE BRINK AND IT'S A GAME OF DARE, AND I DON'T WANT TO BE PUT IN THAT POSITION. I THINK WHAT THE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS HAVE DONE IS INCREDIBLE, AND WHATEVER THEIR REASONS, AND I'M SURE THEY'RE A HUNDRED PERCENT GOOD, IT'S INCREDIBLE AND SHAIKLEY WAS ON -- WAS ON IT AS SOON AS HE LEFT THIS CHAMBER, THE DAY WE CAST THAT VOTE, AND I'M HOPEFUL THAT HE'LL BE ABLE TO PUT IT TOGETHER. BUT WHAT I'M LOOKING AT HERE IS, WHAT IS -- TO DEFINE "PUTTING IT TOGETHER" SO THAT WE UNDERSTAND WHAT -- WHAT CONSTITUTES SUCCESS, AND NOT TO COME BACK HERE ON THE 11TH -- AT THE 11TH HOUR AND SAY, YOU KNOW, "WE'RE THIS CLOSE, WE'RE THIS CLOSE, SO PULL THE PLUG," AND THEN FIND OUT WE WEREN'T THAT CLOSE AND THEN HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS ALL OVER AGAIN. AND FRANKLY, I DON'T THINK IF WE HADN'T HAVE CAST THE VOTE WE CAST A FEW WEEKS AGO THAT WE WOULD HAVE BEEN EVEN THIS FAR ALONG AND I THINK EVERYBODY WOULD CONCEDE THAT POINT, INCLUDING THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO RAISE THE MONEY PRIVATELY. I KNOW THEY DID 'CAUSE THEY'VE TOLD ME THAT PRIVATELY. THAT'S ALL FAIR AND GOOD AND I THINK THINGS BREAK OUR WAY, AND SO FAR THINGS HAVE BROKEN OUR WAY FOR A CHANGE IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS ON ALL THIS STUFF, THAT MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, WE'LL BE ABLE TO PUT THIS TOGETHER, BUT IT'S GOT TO BE REAL.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: SUPERVISOR MOLINA, DID YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING?

SUP. MOLINA: [ INAUDIBLE ].

FRED LEAF: I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY THAT WE ARE OPERATING ON TWO TRACKS. THE FIRST TRACK, OF COURSE, IS WORKING WITH JACK SHAIKLEY AND THE FOUNDATION AND ASSISTING THEM IN PUTTING TOGETHER THEIR PLAN. THE SECOND TRACK, AND PARALLEL, IS THE CLOSURE TRACK. SO WE ARE NOT WAITING 'TIL, YOU KNOW, 60 OR 70 DAYS TO START WITH THAT EFFORT, SO WE DO HAVE THAT UNDERWAY.

SUP. MOLINA: I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT HAS TO BE CLEARLY STATED. AGAIN, YOU KNOW, EVERYONE WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME A NONPROFIT TO TAKE OVER RANCHO. IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME IT'S BEEN STUDIED OR LOOKED AT, AND I GUESS NOBODY PAYS ATTENTION UNTIL YOU ACTUALLY CLOSE A FACILITY, BUT AS I UNDERSTAND IT, WE'VE CLOSED THE FACILITY. RIGHT? SAY "YES."

DR. GARTHWAITE AND FRED LEAF: YES. [ LAUGHTER ]

DR. GARTHWAITE: YOU VOTED. WE UNDERSTAND.

SUP. MOLINA: IT'S CLOSED.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: IT'S IN THE PROCESS OF CLOSING.

SUP. MOLINA: WELL, THIS BOARD HAS DECIDED TO CLOSE THE FACILITY. SO THE REALITY IS, UNLESS SOMEBODY SHOWS UP UNDER THE CONDITIONS THAT MR. YAROSLAVSKY HAS RAISED, THERE REALLY IS NOTHING TO WORK ON. AND I DO THINK THAT WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. EVERYONE WOULD LOVE TO SEE SOMEBODY STEP IN AND BE THE WHITE KNIGHT AND, YOU KNOW, DELIVER FOR -- PARTICULARLY ALL OF THE REHAB COMMUNITY THAT VALUES THE SERVICES OF RANCHO AS MUCH, AND DESPERATELY NEEDS THEM, NOT THAT WE DON'T VALUE THEM, BUT THE REALITY IS THAT IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE TO SHOW UP ON THE LAST MINUTE OF THE LAST DAY AND START TO REGURGITATE THIS ISSUE AGAIN WHEN, IN REALITY, WE KNOW IT WILL SINK THE REST OF THE SYSTEM. THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE, AND I DON'T KNOW, I MEAN, YOU'RE SAYING IT'S CLOSED. IT'S NOT CLOSED, AS WE KNOW. YOU HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO BEFORE IT CAN GET THERE. A LOT OF HURDLES TO COME -- OVERCOME AND TO CONFRONT, AND I DON'T KNOW THAT YOU HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF EVEN CLOSING IT ON THAT DEADLINE DAY. I'M GOING TO ASSUME THAT WHAT YOU'RE TELLING ME IS CORRECT, AND IT BETTER BE WORKED ON BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ON THAT DAY, "WELL, WE GOT THIS AND WE GOT THIS AND WE DIDN'T DO THIS AND WE DIDN'T GIVE NOTICE HERE AND WE CAN'T DO THAT OR WE DON'T HAVE BEDS AND WE DON'T HAVE" THAT'S WHAT I'M WORRIED ABOUT, BECAUSE THE RELIANCE AND THE REST OF THE SYSTEM IS DEPENDENT ON -- IS DEPENDENT ON THE SAVINGS FROM THIS SYSTEM. AND KEEP IN MIND THAT WHEN WE MADE THAT DECISION, WE ALSO CLOSED A HUNDRED BEDS AT L.A. COUNTY U.S.C. NOW, IT'S NOT THAT WE DIDN'T RAISE A PEEP BECAUSE WE DIDN'T CARE OR DIDN'T FEEL AS PASSIONATELY AS MR. KNABE AND SOME OF THESE FOLKS DID. WHAT WE FELT WAS THAT THIS WAS PART OF THE REALITY THAT WE NEEDED TO CONFRONT. YOU KNOW, CLOSING BEDS AT L.A. COUNTY U.S.C. IS ONE OF THE DUMBEST THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN. IT IS NOT MEDICALLY SMART, IT'S NOT FISCALLY SMART 'CAUSE WE LOSE MORE MONEY THAN WE GAIN, IN EVERY ONE OF THOSE BEDS, AS WE ALL KNOW, BUT THE REALITY IS WE HAD TO DO IT AS PART OF OUR PROGRAM, AND NOW THE REALITY IS WE NEED TO PRODUCE THE SAVINGS IN ORDER TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. SO I SUPPORT SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY'S MOTION FROM THE STANDPOINT THAT THERE HAVE TO BE REAL STEPS TAKEN, NOT THE KIND OF STEPS THAT SAY SOMEWHERE SOMEBODY IS OUT THERE THAT IS GOING TO SAVE THE DAY. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THE REAL STEPS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN IS BY THIS DEPARTMENT, THAT IS GOING TO GET TO THE DEADLINE DATE OF WHEN THIS IS GOING TO CLOSE. IF SOMEBODY COMES IN AND STEPS IN AND HAS ALL THE CASH NECESSARY TO KEEP IT GOING, WE CAN CREATE THE NONPROFIT, WE CAN GIVE THEM THE BUILDING, WE CAN GIVE THEM OUR COMMITMENT TO THE INDIGENT, WHICH IS SOMEWHERE IN THE TUNE OF $15 MILLION AND MAKE ALL THOSE ARRANGEMENTS AND THAT CAN HAPPEN, BUT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO SAVE THE SYSTEM, AND SO I SECOND MR. YAROSLAVSKY'S MOTION. I THINK IT'S THE REALITY TRACK THAT WE'RE ON AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT BOTH OF YOU UNDERSTAND, WHICH IS WHY I ASKED YOU TO SAY "YES" THAT WE'VE CLOSED RANCHO.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH?

SUP. ANTONOVICH: YEAH THE QUESTION ON THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THEY APPROVED A 250, EXCUSE ME, MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE D.H.S., HOW ARE YOU GOING TO ADDRESS THE ADDITIONAL $107 MILLION NEEDED TO REFORM UNDER SCENARIO 3?

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: WELL, THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS STILL ON THE TABLE, AS I THINK I MENTIONED NEAR THE END. WE HAVE THE DISH FLEXIBILITY PIECE, WHICH IS 30 MILLION ONGOING. I'M SORRY, IT'S 14.8, 15, 25.5, 28.8 AND 29.4 OVER 5 YEARS SO IT'S AVERAGED ABOUT 25 A YEAR, WE HAVE THE MANAGED CARE OF SUPPLEMENTAL, WHICH WE ESTIMATE AROUND 47 MILLION A YEAR, AND ANY MEASURE B MATCH THAT WE'RE ABLE TO ACHIEVE COULD BE UP TO MAYBE 20 MILLION A YEAR. THOSE WILL ALL HELP. WE ALSO -- THERE WAS A COMMITMENT, I THINK I HEARD IT FROM SECRETARY THOMPSON AND MR. SCULLY TO BE BACK WITH US NEGOTIATING AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE S.P.C.P. WAIVER. THEY WOULDN'T PUT THAT IN WRITING FOR US, BUT THEY CERTAINLY CLEARLY INDICATED I THOUGHT DURING THE PRESS CONFERENCE THAT THEY EXPECTED US TO COME BACK TO RENEGOTIATE AND BE THERE AT THE RENEGOTIATION THEN. THE STATE WAIVER, BUT --

SUP. ANTONOVICH: IT'S IN THE NEXT 90 DAYS? THAT'S THE TIME FRAME WAS WITHIN THE NEXT 90 DAYS?

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: FOR DISH, DISH, YEAH, YEAH, FOR DISH FLEXIBILITY.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: I SHARED WITH SHARED WITH DAVID JANSSEN YESTERDAY, I WAS AMUSED BY THE LOS ANGELES TIMES SUNDAY EDITORIAL, THE AGREEMENT WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE STATE GOVERNMENT THAT IT WAS GOVERNOR DAVIS WHO LEANED ON THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION TO GIVE US THAT EXTRA MONEY WHEN I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND TOM SCULLY, THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION LEANING ON THE GOVERNOR TO GIVE US THE MONEY. AND THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE 50 FIRST --

SUP. KNABE: THAT'S WHY TOM'S SMILING, HE KNOWS THE TRUTH, RIGHT, SO.

DR. THOMAS GARTHWAITE: I WASN'T AROUND FOR THE LEANING.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: OKAY WE HAVE THREE PEOPLE WHO'VE ASKED --

SUP. KNABE: YEAH I JUST WOULD ADD THAT, I MEAN THE ONE CLARIFICATION THAT'S BEEN BOUNCED AROUND HERE THAT RANCHO'S TRIED THIS BEFORE AND FAILED OR WHATEVER. THE ONLY ATTEMPTS TO EVER BEEN MADE AT RANCHO HAS BEEN PRIVATIZING, THERE'S NEVER BEEN AN ATTEMPT TO DO A NOT-FOR-PROFIT KIND OF A TRANSITION OUT THERE, AND I THINK THAT'S VERY CLEAR, AND I JUST --

C.A.O. JANSSEN: AND THE ATTEMPT WAS TO TRANSFER RANCHO AS IS. THERE WAS NO PROPOSED CHANGE IN IT AT ALL.

SUP. KNABE: RIGHT.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT, SANDRA ROBINSON, YOLANDA VERA AND KATHY OCHOA HAVE ASKED TO SPEAK. WHILE THEY'RE COMING UP, YOU KNOW, WHAT I HEARD THEM SAY, WHAT I HEARD SCULLY SAY WAS THAT EVERY TWO YEARS THEY RENEGOTIATE THE WAIVER WITH THE STATE ANYHOW.

SUP. KNABE: CUT OUT FOR A 16 OR 18 YEARS.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: RIGHT, RIGHT, BUT THAT RELATES, I ASSUME, TO THE HUNDRED MILLION. THAT DOESN'T RELATE TO THE OTHER --

SUP. KNABE: THAT'S THE DISH PORTION.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: -- 600 OR 700 MILLION.

SUP. MOLINA: MS. BURKE, MS. BURKE I ALSO HAVE A MOTION, MOSTLY ON THE TIPPLER TAX ISSUE. DO YOU WANT ME TO DO IT AFTER THEY SPEAK?

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: DOES IT RELATE TO THIS ITEM? WHY DON'T YOU INTRODUCE IT NOW?

SUP. MOLINA: YES, IT IS.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: OKAY JUST INTRODUCE IT NOW.

SUP. MOLINA: ALL RIGHT, I'M GOING TO PASS OUT A MOTION AND BASICALLY INSTEAD OF READING IT, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I THINK WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL THAT, YOU KNOW, IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GETTING MORE MONEY THAN WE ORIGINALLY THOUGHT, BUT NOT REALLY. THE REALITY IS THAT WE ARE -- WE'VE GOTTEN AN INFUSION OF SOME FEDERAL DOLLARS INTO OUR SYSTEM, AND I THINK THAT, COUPLED WITH THE TAX -- THE TRAUMA TAX THAT WE'VE DONE QUITE WELL, BUT THE REALITY IS WE'RE STILL A LONG WAYS TO GO, WE'RE STILL IN DEFICIT, WE'RE STILL HEADING TOWARD A DEFICIT BECAUSE ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IS WE STILL HAVE MANDATES THAT HAVE BEEN PLACED ON US THAT ARE NOT TOTALLY CALCULATED INTO THIS THING, WHETHER IT BE U.P.L. OR WHETHER IT BE OTHER KIND OF REQUIREMENTS THE STATE WILL BE PLACING ON US, BUT THE REALITY IS THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE CERTAINLY ENOUGH MONEY TO MEET THE UNINSURED PROBLEM. AND, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S INTERESTING ABOUT IT IS IF YOU LOOK AT TOM BROKAW TONIGHT, THEY'VE BEEN DOING A WEEKLY SERIES ABOUT THE UNINSURED. THIS PROBLEM IS ESCALATING ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. THE PROBLEMS ARE TREMENDOUS. THEY'RE OVERWHELMING HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS EVERYWHERE WHETHER THEY ARE PRIVATE OR PUBLIC, IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM, AND IT'S REALLY WHAT WE NEED TO WRESTLE WITH, AND HOPEFULLY BY GETTING MORE ATTENTION TO IT, WE'RE GOING TO GET THE CONGRESS TO EVENTUALLY ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. WHEN AND HOW, I DON'T KNOW. THEY SEEM TO HAVE OTHER PRIORITIES. BUT THE REALITY IS IS THAT WE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE HAVING TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES AND FIND THE DOLLARS TO DO SO. THERE ARE SOME MEASURES AND THAT WE CAN TAKE THAT WOULD ASSIST US IN THE LONG RUN. NOT IMMEDIATE AS SOME OF THE FEDERAL DOLLARS ARE, BUT CERTAINLY IN THE LONG TERM, AND IT WOULD GIVE US STABLE REVENUE. ONE, AND I'M ASKING THAT THE BOARD TAKE A SUPPORT POSITION FOR S.B.-108, WHICH IS SENATOR GLORIA ROMERO'S BILL. HER BILL IS TYING AGAIN THE TAX ON LIQUOR THAT IS SERVED DIRECTLY TO GO TO TRAUMA, WHICH WOULD FACILITATE FOR US AS THE OTHER -- OUR OWN TRAUMA TAX DID, IT WOULD BRING DOLLARS INTO OUR SYSTEM AND NOT JUST INTO THE PUBLIC, BUT ALSO INTO THE PRIVATE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE UNINSURED. THERE'S A DIRECT CORRELATION, EVERYONE KNOWS THE KINDS OF PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE WITH ALCOHOL, SO CONSEQUENTLY I'M ASKING THAT A 5-SIGNATURE LETTER BE SENT TO SENATOR DEBRA ARTESE WHO'S THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE AND THE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE AS WELL AS TO THE MEMBERS OF OUR COUNTY DELEGATION AND, OF COURSE, GOVERNOR DAVIS URGING HIM TO SUPPORT S.B.-108. NOW, I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE'S NECESSARILY GOING TO BE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR THAT BILL. THE LIQUOR LOBBY IS VERY, VERY STRONG. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE GENTLEMAN WHO REPRESENTS NAPA IS THE CHAIR OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ON THE SENATE SIDE. SO OUR CHANCES ARE VERY, VERY SLIM. BUT THE REALITY IS THAT IT'S SOMETHING WE MUST PURSUE, AND I AM ASKING AS WELL THAT IF, IN FACT, THEY CANNOT DO THAT, THEN GIVE IT TO THIS BOARD TO DO. I'M ASKING THAT WE LOOK FOR AN AUTHOR WHO WILL INTRODUCE THE LEGISLATION THAT WILL AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES TO LEVY A TIPPLER TAX IN L.A. COUNTY, WHICH IS DIFFERENT THAN THE ROMERO BILL. THE ROMERO BILL IS STATEWIDE FOR THE MOST PART, AS I UNDERSTAND. THIS WOULD BE COUNTY, IT WOULD ONLY -- THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO IT THEMSELVES, THERE'D BE NO FINGERPRINTS ON IT, AS THEY SAY. JUST GIVE US THE AUTHORITY. AND THAT WE, UNDER THIS AUTHORITY, COULD TAX A DRINK IN L.A. COUNTY AND THAT THOSE MONEYS WOULD BE -- GO DIRECTLY TO HELP AND TO FINANCE THE UNINSURED OR, AGAIN, EVEN THE TRAUMA SYSTEM, HOWEVER WE WOULD DO SO. BUT RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY. IF THIS BOARD TODAY HAD THE COURAGE TO PUT SUCH A PROPOSAL TOGETHER, THE LEGISLATURE AND THE STATE PROHIBITS US FROM DOING IT. SO I'M ASKING, WE NEED TO FIND AN AUTHOR, WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD ON IT, AND I'D LIKE TO PUT THAT BEFORE YOU BECAUSE I THINK THAT, AGAIN, IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH THING TO DO. THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF RESISTANCE TO DO IT, EVERYBODY'S GOING TO TRY AND FIND EVERY OTHER WAY, BUT WHERE WE ARE NOW IN OUR SITUATION IS WE HAVE SOME INFUSION OF DOLLARS AND WE HAVE SOME RELIEF, BUT THE REALITY IS TWO THINGS. WE ARE STILL GOING INTO A DEFICIT EVERY YEAR, WE DON'T KNOW THAT DR. GARTHWAITE AND THE DEPARTMENT AND, AS FRED HAS TOLD US THAT, WE CAN MAKE THOSE -- CAPTURE THOSE SAVINGS THAT WE NEED TO CAPTURE. AND FINALLY, THE NUMBER OF UNINSURED IS INCREASING EVERY SINGLE DAY. OUR RESPONSIBILITIES ARE ESCALATING EVERY SINGLE DAY. SO WE NEED A SET, WE NEED DEDICATED REVENUE. THESE ARE OPTIONS FOR SOME DEDICATED REVENUE IN THIS AREA, SO I'M ASKING THE BOARD TO SUPPORT NOT ONLY S.B.-108, BUT TO LOOK FOR AN AUTHOR WHO WOULD PUT TOGETHER A LEGISLATIVE BILL THAT WOULD AUTHORIZE L.A. COUNTY TO IMPLEMENT ITS OWN TIPPLER TAX, IF NECESSARY, WHEN IT NEEDS THOSE FUNDS.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: OKAY. I'LL SECOND THAT. ALL RIGHT. SANDRA ROBINSON, I BELIEVE, WAS FIRST, AND YOLANDA VERA AND THEN KATHY OCHOA.

SANDRA ROBINSON: THANK YOU. MY NAME IS SANDRA ROBINSON, I'M AN ATTORNEY WITH THE LEGAL AID FOUNDATION OF LOS ANGELES, AND I SPEAK TO YOU ON BEHALF OF OUR CLIENTS WHO DESPERATELY RELY ON A VIABLE HEALTHCARE -- COUNTY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND HAVE BEEN AND WILL BE AFFECTED IN VERY REAL WAYS BY THE REDUCTION IN HEALTHCARE THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE AND THAT IS SLATED TO TAKE PLACE IN THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. WE WERE VERY ENCOURAGED BY THE REVENUE -- BY THE NEWS OF THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE THAT WILL BE COMING TO US AND WE GREATLY APPRECIATE THE STRUGGLE TO STABILIZE THAT EVERYONE HAS UNDERGONE, ESPECIALLY YOURSELVES, TO STABILIZE OUR COUNTY HEALTH SYSTEM, OF CARE IN THE FACE OF THE ESCALATING MEDICAL NEED. TO OUR CLIENTS, THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK REPRESENTS HOPE THAT WE CAN NOW BEGIN DOWN A PATH OF HEALING THROUGH BUILDING RATHER THAN DISMANTLING FURTHER OUR SYSTEM. IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW TO THE PUBLIC THAT THEIR DOLLARS AND EFFORTS AND UNIFIED VOICE HAVE BEEN HEARD. THE VISION NOW MUST BE ONE OF REVIVING AND HEALING A BELEAGUERED HEALTH SYSTEM, AND THIS REQUIRES A PUBLIC THAT IS ENGAGED AND MOBILIZED TO SUPPORT AND ASSIST THIS IMPORTANT BUILDING PROCESS. ALL OF THE AMAZING AND INSPIRING EFFORTS FROM THE LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL LEVELS HAVE EVOLVED INTO A MOMENTUM REACHING THIS CRITICAL MASS WHICH HAS DEVELOPED INTO A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY. THE FAITH OF THE PUBLIC NOW IS TRULY IN YOUR HANDS AND WE MUST NOW ACT TO SEIZE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO PRESERVE WHAT WE HAVE BECAUSE IT'S JUST WHAT MAKES SENSE. IT'S WHAT MAKES SENSE TO AVERT FURTHER MEDICAL HARM. AND TO BUILD A SYSTEM THAT IS NOT CHARACTERIZED BY MEDICAL DEPRIVATION, BUT BY PROVIDING MEDICAL CARE THAT'S NECESSARY TO THE HEALTHCARE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.

YOLANDA VERA: GOOD AFTERNOON. YOLANDA VERA, NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES. THE BOARD DESERVES A HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS ON THE FEDERAL AND STATE RELIEF THAT IT RECEIVED LAST FRIDAY, A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS MORE THAN WAS EXPECTED, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ALL IN ALL INCREASED ITS FEDERAL FUNDING TO L.A. COUNTY TO $236 MILLION FOR BOTH FISCAL YEARS 2004 AND 2005. FRIDAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE FEDERAL AND STATE COMMITMENT TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH LOS ANGELES COUNTY ON FURTHER RELIEF ARE ENCOURAGING SIGNS THAT THE FEDERAL AND THE STATE GOVERNMENTS ARE STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE, AND AS WELL WITH THE VOTERS' EFFORTS IN LAST NOVEMBER OF BRINGING MEASURE B TO REALITY, BRINGING AN ADDITIONAL $168 MILLION WE SEE THAT THE VOTERS IN THE COMMUNITY HAVE ALSO STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE. WE HOPE THAT THE COMMUNITY'S EFFORTS TO TALK TO THE FEDERAL DELEGATION IN D.C., TO MAKE VISITS WITH OUR D.C. REPRESENTATIVES, AND AS WELL SPEAK TO THE LEGISLATURE IN CALIFORNIA HELP FACILITATE THE COUNTY'S GOALS AND EFFORTS ON ACHIEVING THIS RESULT. NOW IT'S LOS ANGELES COUNTY'S TURN TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE. THIS ADDITIONAL MONEY GIVES LOS ANGELES A FLEXIBILITY TO START THINKING OF REBUILDING THE SYSTEM AND DEVELOPING THE VISION. AND IN LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS THAT DR. GARTHWAITE PASSED OUT, FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEARS, AT LEAST UNTIL 2006 AND 2007, WE WILL HAVE A SURPLUS, WE WILL BE IN THE GREEN IN OUR HEALTHCARE SERVICES, AND I WANT TO REPEAT THAT, FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS, WE WILL BE IN THE GREEN, SO WE HAVE A FLEXIBILITY TO START THINKING OF RESTRUCTURING AND REBUILDING OUR SYSTEM SO THAT WE'RE NOT IN THIS CONSTANT CUT CYCLE. UNLESS THE COUNTY EXERCISES LEADERSHIP AND USES THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXERCISE LEADERSHIP, NOTHING THAT HAPPENED FRIDAY WILL DO ANYTHING TO CHANGE THE CURRENT LEVELS OF CARE THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING. THE SIX-MONTH WAITS THAT INDIGENT WOMEN ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW FOR GETTING A BIOPSY ON A BREAST TUMOR, THE ONE-YEAR WAIT FOR DIABETIC PATIENTS FOR GETTING A VISIT AT AN EYE CLINIC, THE UP TO FOUR-DAY WAITS IN A GURNEY IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM TO GET A BED AVAILABLE AND UP TO TWO-YEAR WAIT TO GET SURGERY ON GALL BLADDERS. THERE ARE STEPS THAT THE COUNTY COULD MAKE TO RESPOND TO THIS ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO SHOW THAT IT IS TAKING US IN NEW DIRECTIONS AND RESTRUCTURING SERVICES AND BRINGING A VISION. SOME OF THESE STEPS INCLUDE THINGS LIKE REBUILDING THE AMBULATORY CARE SYSTEM WHICH TOOK SUCH A BIG HIT LAST OCTOBER AND WHICH ARE LEADING TO SOME OF THE CRISES WE'RE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING AS WELL AS BUILDING A BRIDGE FOR RANCHO LOS AMIGOS SO THAT THE SERVICES THAT RANCHO PROVIDES THAT ARE SO CRITICAL WILL NOT BE COMPLETELY LOST IN THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

KATHY OCHOA: SUPERVISORS, KATHY OCHOA, S.C.I.U. LOCAL 660. AGAIN, JUST TO JOIN THE ACCOLADES THAT ARE ALL MUTUALLY DESERVED FOR THE OFFER THAT WAS EXTENDED FROM THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS TO THE COUNTY, THE WORK OF THE CITIZENS AND THE UNION ON MEASURE B AND TO ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK IN TRYING TO MAINTAIN A STABLE HEALTH SYSTEM. I WANT TO REMIND YOU, SUPERVISORS, THAT FOR EVERY LIABILITY OR COLUMN, THERE'S USUALLY AN ASSET COLUMN, AND THAT AS YOU RATTLE OFF THE ENCUMBRANCES THAT THE DEPARTMENT FACES, THAT YOU ALSO FACTOR IN THE POSITIVES, THE ASSETS THAT ARE DUE THE SYSTEM. AND IF WE ONLY MOVE OR MAKE OUR DECISIONS BASED ON LIABILITIES, THEN YOU CAN BET, NO MATTER EVERYBODY'S BEST EFFORT, WE WILL BE ON A DOWNWARD AND A DEATH SPIRAL FOR OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. I AM GLAD, SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY AND SUPERVISOR MOLINA, THAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR THE SAME SORTS OF ACCOUNTABILITIES THAT WERE REQUIRED OF DISNEY. WE, TOO, HAVE OUR CONCERNS AS TO WHETHER THE NONPROFIT OPTION IS A VIABLE ONE. WE CERTAINLY WANT TO EXHAUST EVERY OPPORTUNITY AND LOOK AT EVERY ALTERNATIVE. THERE WERE TWO THAT WERE EXPRESSED, I THINK, ON THE 28TH AND A THIRD ONE EMERGED AT THE END OF THE DAY. THE FIRST WAS CREATION OF A NONPROFIT. THE SECOND WAS CREATION OF SORT OF A SATELLITE WHERE RANCHO HAS INCORPORATED ITS LICENSURE IS FOLDED INTO THAT OF ANOTHER HOSPITAL, AND NOW THIS THIRD THING THAT I'M HEARING, AND I HAVEN'T REALLY SEEN IT IN WRITING, IS A SATELLITE AS A TRANSITION TO A NONPROFIT. MAYBE THERE'S A FOURTH ONE BEYOND THAT. AND I DO THINK THERE ARE THINGS BEYOND THAT. TOM GARTHWAITE HAS COME TO OUR PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND TALKED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPING A SCENARIO FOUR. IT COULD BE THE SAME BOTTOM LINE, IT COULD BE A DIFFERENT CONFIGURATION OF SERVICES, SO I WOULD JUST LIKE TO CAUTION EVERYONE AGAINST, YOU KNOW, ASSERTING THAT CLOSING RANCHO MEANS WE SAVE ANOTHER PART OF THE SYSTEM, BECAUSE IN FACT, IN ATTACHMENT C THAT THIS BOARD VOTED ON IN JUNE, THERE WERE ZERO SAVINGS THAT WERE ANTICIPATED FOR '02/'03, ZERO SAVINGS ANTICIPATED FOR '03/'04, AND $64 MILLION IN SAVINGS IN '04/'05. SO BEFORE WE SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, NEXT MONTH VIABILITY IS CONTINGENT, AND LET'S REMEMBER WHAT THE ORIGINAL SETS OF NUMBERS WERE AND HOW THEY FLUCTUATE, THEY DO GO UP AND THEY DO GO DOWN, BUT THEY HAVEN'T JUST SORT OF GONE AWAY IN THIS CASE AND I HOPE THAT YOU KEEP THAT IN MIND. IN TERMS OF THE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR DISNEY, I REMEMBER THAT THAT PROPOSAL AND THAT CULTURAL INSTITUTION WASN'T PUT TOGETHER OVERNIGHT AND SUPERVISOR YOU POINTED OUT HOW THIS IS GOING TO TAKE TIME AND WE SHOULDN'T DELUDE OURSELVES INTO THINKING THAT IT DOESN'T TAKE TIME. SO I THINK, IN ALL FAIRNESS, I WOULD ASK YOU TO CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT TO YOUR MOTION THAT AFFORDS THE DEPARTMENT AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES WHO ARE DEVELOPING ALTERNATIVES THE SAME TYPE OF TIMEFRAME THAT WAS ACCORDED DISNEY, BECAUSE I KNOW IT WAS MORE THAN 45 DAYS OR 50 DAYS. AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ASK THIS BOARD IF IT COULD KEEP THE DOOR OPEN TO SOME COUNTY SUPPORT AS IT DID FOR DISNEY. I THINK THE WEEK AFTER YOU VOTED TO CLOSE -- IS THAT A "NO" ZEV? OKAY.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: UH.. NO. [ LIGHT LAUGHTER ].

KATHY OCHOA: ALL RIGHT, THE WEEK AFTER YOU VOTED TO CLOSE RANCHO YOU ALSO VOTED TO GIVE DISNEY ANOTHER 25 MILLION IN BRIDGE, AND IT'S GOING TO REPAY YOU. SO I WOULD JUST URGE THIS BOARD TO KEEP ITS OPTIONS OPEN SO THAT YOU DON'T MAKE A DECISION THAT, IN THE END, GETS YOU TO WHERE YOU DID NOT WANT TO BE, AND THAT IS A TOTAL DESTABILIZATION OF THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. SO SUPERVISOR I'M WONDERING IF YOU CAN AFFORD A TIME FRAME THAT WOULD ALLOW THE INTERESTED PARTIES WHO ARE WORKING ON ALTERNATIVES THE SAME REASONABLE TIMEFRAME THAT THE DISNEY AND COUNTY GROUPING HAD TO WORK ON THEIR PROPOSALS.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: WELL, I -- NUMBER ONE, ONCE THE DISNEY GROUP GOT TOGETHER AND DECIDED TO RAISE THE MONEY, IT DIDN'T TAKE THEM 60 DAYS, AND CERTAINLY --

KATHY OCHOA: WHAT DID IT TAKE?

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: CERTAINLY NOT TO THIS, THERE -- THERE IS A LOT --

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: WE PUT A PARKING LOT IN THERE FOR THEM.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: YEAH WELL THAT WAS ANOTHER STORY.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: LOOK I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO THAT BUT WE DID BUILD THEM A PARKING LOT ON THE IF COME.

SUP. KNABE: IT TOOK A LOT MORE THAN 60 DAYS TO PUT ALL THAT MONEY TOGETHER.

KATHY OCHOA: WELL ALL I'M SAYING IS THAT IF THE EXPECTATION IS THAT THERE --

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: WELL THE ANSWER IS NO, I'M NOT I THINK IT'S ON IT'S, I MEAN THIS WILL GIVE YOU A DIRECT ANSWER, NO. I THINK THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO HAPPEN ARE GOING TO HAPPEN.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: I DON'T THINK WE CAN USE DISNEY AS OUR MODEL.

KATHY OCHOA: WELL IF THAT'S WHAT WAS SAID, THAT-

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO A DEBATE OVER HOW LONG IT TOOK, IT'S NOT WORTH IT.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: YEAH BECAUSE I MEAN WE WENT ALONG WITH THIS.

KATHY OCHOA: SUPERVISOR I'M THINKING THAT IF THIS IS A NEW LEVEL, IF THIS IS A NEW CONDITION PUT ON THE DECISION MADE ON JANUARY 28TH, THERE SHOULD BE SOME FLEXIBILITY, HOWEVER MODEST YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO OFFER SO THAT THAT LEGAL COMMITMENTS THAT YOU'RE LOOKING -- LOOK IT'S GOING TO -- IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT THAT'S WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE, AND I'M JUST SAYING IN THE INTEREST OF BEING REAL HERE, THAT IT IS GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME TO PUT TOGETHER COMMITMENTS, EITHER FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR OR COMMITMENTS ABOUT HOW THIS BOARD MIGHT MOVE AHEAD ON A SATELLITE OPTION OR ALSO, SUPERVISORS, PLEASE REMEMBER THAT IN THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS, THERE WILL BE A RENEWED DISCUSSION ON DISH REFORM. NOW, HOW YOU END UP AT THE END OF THE DAY WITH A GOOD SETTLEMENT FOR L.A. IS GOING TO DEPEND ON WHETHER RANCHO'S IN THE MIX OR OUT OF THE MIX. HIGH DESERT IN THE MIX, OUT OF THE MIX. BOTH IN, BOTH OUT. YOU KNOW, I MEAN, ALL OF THIS IS -- THAT DISH DISCUSSION IS AN OVERARCHING ONE, THAT IT MAY TURN OUT AT THE END OF THE DAY TO BE MORE FAVORABLE FOR YOU TO KEEP RANCHO AS PART OF THE SYSTEM AND END UP WITH A BETTER DISH REFORM PACKAGE THAN IF YOU WERE TO MOVE IT OUT, SO I'M JUST ASKING YOU TO KEEP YOUR MINDS OPEN AND LOOK AT THE ASSETS AS WELL AS THE LIABILITIES, AND I THINK WE'LL END UP AT A BETTER PLACE WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE.

SUP. KNABE: MADAM CHAIR, IF I COULD JUST FOLLOW UP. I THINK A BETTER ANALYSIS THAN DISNEY WOULD BE THE POINT THAT YOU MADE IS THAT IN THE ORIGINAL NUMBERS, AND THIS CONTINUES TO BE MY ARGUMENT, '02/'03, '03/'04, THERE WERE ZERO DOLLARS IN SAVINGS, AND THE SAVINGS WEREN'T PREDICTED UNTIL '04/'05, AND, YOU KNOW, AS I CALL THE MONDAY NIGHT MASSACRE, AND THEN THAT MOVED UP, AND, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, ZEV'S MOTION IS VERY CLEAR ABOUT NOT CHANGING NUMBERS, YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN THROUGH THAT WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS WELL TOO, BUT I THINK THAT'S WHERE, YOU KNOW, MY ARGUMENT WAS ABOUT SOME POTENTIAL BRIDGE FUNDING. IT'S NOT THERE RIGHT NOW. I MEAN, FORGET IT, BUT I MEAN THE POINT IS IS THAT THE BIG POINT HERE IS THAT THE SAVINGS WEREN'T PREDICTED UNTIL '04/'05, AND THAT'S A HUGE CHANGE AND NOW BY THE DOWNSIZING AND CUTTING BACK YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE EARLIER SAVINGS AND EVENTUALLY IN '04/'05, HAVE POTENTIALLY MORE SAVINGS THAN YOU ANTICIPATED IN YOUR ORIGINAL DOCUMENT, AND I MEAN I THINK THAT'S THE ISSUE, MORE SO THAN DISNEY.

KATHY OCHOA: I THINK THE FOURTH POINT THAT DR. GARTHWAITE RAISED THAT WASN'T ON THE TABLE BEFORE WAS SORT OF THIS MANDATE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE THE PAYOR MIX OF OUR HOSPITAL SYSTEM, AND I KNOW THERE ARE DISINCENTIVES TO DO IT AMONG THE SMALLER POPULATION OF PATIENTS, SAY, FOR EXAMPLE, AT RANCHO. THAT DISINCENTIVE MAY GO AWAY ONCE IT'S DISTRIBUTED AGAINST A LARGER POPULATION. SO I'M JUST ASKING YOU NOT TO UNDERCUT ONE GOAL AS YOU'RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE ANOTHER. INSTEAD, HAVE SOME FLEXIBILITY AND TRY TO LOOK AT ALL OF THE OPTIONS THAT ARE ON THE TABLE SO THAT WE CREATE THE BEST SOLUTION FOR EVERY CITIZEN, EVERY RESIDENT OF L.A. COUNTY.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU. ON THE MOTION BY SUPERVISOR MOLINA --

SUP. KNABE: YOU'RE DIVIDING THE QUESTIONS.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THE ONE IS A TIPPLER TAX --

SUP. KNABE: I VOTE NO, YOU WANT A ROLL CALL?

SUP. ANTONOVICH: ARE YOU ON THE TIPPLER'S TAX OR NOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO ZEV AND GLORIA'S?

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: WELL WE'RE GOING TO DO FIRST GLORIA'S MOTION, WHICH WAS THE LAST ONE. HER AMENDMENT WAS THE LAST ONE, MY RECOLLECTION IS YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO THAT FIRST.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: THAT'S FINE.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: OKAY SO CAN WE TAKE A VOTE ON HER MOTION, WHICH IS THE 5-SIGNATURE ON TIPPLER'S TAX, AND GETTING PERMISSION FOR US TO HAVE A COUNTY TIPPLER'S TAX. OKAY, DO YOU WANT TO CALL THE ROLE?

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: SUPERVISOR MOLINA.

SUP. MOLINA: AYE.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: AYE.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: SUPERVISOR KNABE.

SUP. KNABE: NO.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH.

SUP. ANTONOVICH: NO.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: AND SUPERVISOR BURKE.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: AYE. NOW, ON SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY'S MOTION, IS THERE ANY OBJECTION? YAROSLAVSKY AND MOLINA'S MOTION, IS THERE ANY OBJECTION? WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDERED. THAT CONCLUDES THE SPECIAL MEETING. WE WOULD NOW GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT. WE HAVE A LOT OF PUBLIC COMMENT. WE HAVE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE ON NEW SUBJECTS, AND THEN WE HAVE PEOPLE ON A SUBJECT THAT HAS BEEN COMING UP EVERY WEEK. I THINK WE SHOULD TAKE THOSE PEOPLE ON THE NEW SUBJECTS, AND THEN THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE OLD SUBJECT OF THE OAK TREE, WE WOULD ASK YOU TO TRY TO COME TOGETHER AND -- EVERYBODY IS GOING TO HAVE ONE MINUTE ANYHOW, BUT TO TRY TO NOT DUPLICATE THE THINGS THAT YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE NO AUTHORITY, WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ON OUR AGENDA, IT'S JUST A MATTER OF YOU MAKING IT FOR THE TELEVISION AUDIENCE OR FOR YOUR OWN RECORD. SO WE WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU DO IT AS FAST AS POSSIBLE AND NOT HAVE TOO MUCH DUPLICATION. SHEILA WARD, MICHAEL HUNT, AND REVA VALENTIN. AND WHILE THEY'RE COMING UP, I UNDERSTAND THERE'S BEEN A REQUEST THAT WE WAIVE THE 90-DAY RULE. IF WE WAIVE THE 90-DAY RULE, THERE ARE AT LEAST 20 PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE HERE EVERY WEEK. SO WE JUST CANNOT -- A LONG TIME AGO WE HAD TO DECIDE THAT WE COULD NOT -- WE CAN'T WAIVE THAT RULE, AND NO MATTER HOW IMPORTANT THE PERSON IS AND OF WHAT DISTINCTION THEY ARE, WE JUST CANNOT WAIVE THAT RULE BECAUSE WE HAVE A WHOLE GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO, OVER THE YEARS, HAVE BEEN COMING, AND THEY ONLY COME HERE ON 90 DAYS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT'S THE RULE, BUT WE WOULD JUST TOTALLY BE HERE ALL NIGHT IF WE WAIVE IT AS TO ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO CAREFULLY MONITOR THEIR 90 DAYS TO COME. YES. WOULD YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME?

SHEILIA WARD: HI, GREETINGS IN THE SPIRIT OF THE MOST HIGH, THIS IS SHEILIA WARD. I REPRESENT XENIC ASSOCIATION PRODUCTIONS ENTERTAINMENT INTERNATIONAL TRUST, AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE MA AI FESTIVAL THAT WE USUALLY HAVE AT THE COMPTON COURTHOUSE. I'M IN PRAYER AND HOPES THAT THE TALIBAN SITUATION HAS CALMED DOWN SOMEWHAT WHEREAS WE CONTINUE BUSINESS AS USUAL. LAST SEPTEMBER, DURING THE TIME OF THE TALIBAN SITUATION, I TRAVELED THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND IN EVERY STATE THERE WAS A BIG CELEBRATION AT THE COUNTY AND STATE AND FEDERAL FACILITIES HONORING THE TALIBAN, AND I WAS APPALLED. I WAS, LIKE, WOW, HOW CAN THEY COME OVER HERE AND BLOW UP AND THEY HAVE A FESTIVAL AND WE, THE PEOPLE WHO HELPED BUILD THIS COUNTRY, WE CAN'T EVEN HAVE ONE. SO I'M HERE TO FIND OUT WHAT IT IS THAT WE CAN DO AT THIS POINT ON A POSITIVE LEVEL TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE A HARMONIOUS FESTIVAL THIS YEAR.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: WELL, I THINK THAT YOU, FIRST OF ALL, NEED TO WORK WITH COMPTON AND WITH THE COURT. WE NO LONGER HAVE JURISDICTION OVER THE COURT FACILITIES, AND WE CERTAINLY WISH YOU WELL IN THE FESTIVAL.

SHEILIA WARD: [ INAUDIBLE ]

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: AND WHO WILL TALK TO YOU? OH THE OMBUDSMAN WILL TALK TO YOU.

SHEILIA WARD: SO WHO AM I SUPPOSED TO TALK TO?

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: SANDERS. OVER HERE, SANDY WILL TALK TO YOU.

SHEILIA WARD: OH AND PLUS, I WANTED TO KNOW IF YOU'RE AVAILABLE ON THE 19TH, IF -- I HAVE A TELEVISION SHOW ON COM CAST, IF WE COULD DISCUSS IT ON THE TELEVISION.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: SURE. WE'LL HAVE SOMEONE TO DISCUSS IT WITH YOU. REVA LINTON AND MICHAEL HUNT.

REVA LINTON: YES, I'M SORRY, AND I MAY BE OUT OF LINE, BUT I HAVE A LITTLE BIT TO SAY --

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ARE YOU REVA LINTON?

REVA LINTON: YES.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: OKAY, AND WOULD ETHEL LEE JOHNSON PLEASE COME FORWARD?

REVA LINTON: I'D LIKE TO JUST MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT THE DIRTY, FILTHY CONDITIONS IN THE JAILS, THEY SHOULD SEND THE MAINTENANCE PEOPLE BACK TO THE SCHOOL TO LEARN HOW TO DO MAINTENANCE, HOW TO CLEAN THE CORNERS, THEN THEY WOULDN'T HAVE THAT SPIDER OR WHATEVER IS BITING. THE MAINTENANCE PEOPLE NEED TO BE TRAINED AND THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED. YOU SHOULD INSIST ON THAT. THAT'S NOT WHY I CAME. I CAME ABOUT AN URGENT MATTER. THE CLOCK IS TICKING. ABOUT A TREE. A BEAUTIFUL, MOST BEAUTIFUL TREE, AN OAK TREE. I'VE SEEN FLOODS WHERE THE TREE SAVES PEOPLE WHEN THE WATER RISES, THEY SAVE THEMSELVES ON THAT TREE. THIS TREE IS THERE FOR THAT PURPOSE. THERE'S A WASH, IT'S A RUNOFF, AND IN CASE IT GETS FLOODED, WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO HOLD ON TO, A PERSON LOST ON THAT TREE? THAT TREE SHOULD NOT BE MOVED. I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW BEAUTIFUL THE TREE LOOKS. JUST WONDERFUL. IT'S DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER OAK TREE. I CAME HERE TO ASK, I HEARD TODAY YVONNE BURKE, I MEAN SUPERVISOR, YOU HAVE THIS 11TH HOUR MATTER. PUT THIS ON THE 11TH HOUR MATTER. THE CLOCK IS TICKING. URGENT, URGENT. PUT IT ON THE 11TH HOUR MATTER, HAVE YOUR STAFF COME BACK WITH A REPORT WITH THE WHOLE SITUATION. DON'T CLOSE THE DOOR.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. ETHEL LEE JOHNSON.

REVA LINTON: I'M SORRY.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: AND COULD WE HAVE, WE WILL NOW GO INTO THE TREES, MARTA EVRY, GARY KNOWLTON. WOULD YOU PLEASE START COMING UP? YES, MISS JOHNSON? STATE YOUR NAME.

ETHEL LEE JOHNSON: COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, MR. KNABE, YASIM WATIM, I'M HERE ON A SPECIAL MISSION. THE SPECIAL MISSION IS FOR THE DISABLED PEOPLE AND HOMELESS PEOPLE IN THE TERRITORY OF COMPTON, WHICH NEEDS A SUPPLEMENTAL EMERGENCY HELP. I'VE BEEN HERE ABOUT FOUR MONTHS, BUT YOUR DEPUTY IS THERE, BUT YOUR DEPUTY NEVER TAKES ANY INFORMATION AND SOME INFORMATION THAT IS NEEDED TO COME BACK TO THE BOARD, I TOLD YOU I SAID I WOULD CHECK AND SEE WHAT'S NEEDED AND WHATEVER ELSE, AND IT'D PROBABLY TAKE ME 90 DAYS TO 180 DAYS, BUT I WAS CALLED IN BY THE GOVERNOR. GOVERNOR GRAY DAVIS, I WAS CALLED IN, AND IT IS A RESPONSIBILITY FOR S.S.I. PEOPLE, SUPPLEMENT OF PEOPLE TO HAVE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES. NOW THEY SAID, YOU DON'T HAVE ANY FUNDS IN THIS COUNTY. THIS IS NOT A FEDERAL AND STATE ISSUE. SO I'M ASKING YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: OKAY, WELL SOMEONE WILL SPEAK TO YOU, AN OMBUDSMAN OVER THERE.

ETHEL LEE JOHNSON: I KNOW BUT I'M GOING TO TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, YOUR DEPUTIES, YOUR DEPUTIES DO NOT -- AND I'M SO SORRY, BECAUSE WE DO LOVE YOU, BUT THOSE DEPUTIES DO NOT GET OUT THERE LIKE I WAS APPOINTED IN 1993 BY MR. RALPH C. DILTZ. HE PASSED AWAY. NOBODY TOLD ME, AND THIS IS PAT EASTMAN, THE MILITARY. I'M A MILITARY VET AND I HELP MOST OFFICERS GET BACK TO NORMAL AS REHABILITATION. SO CAN YOU HELP ME?

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: SOMEONE OVER THERE WILL SPEAK WITH YOU.

ETHEL LEE JOHNSON: OKAY. THANK YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: OH YES, OKAY YES. NOW IT'S MARTHA EVRY, GARY KNOWLTON, AND KIM WAYMER. ARE YOU EACH GOING TO HAVE A MINUTE?

MARTA EVRY: THREE MINUTES.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: OKAY, THE THREE OF YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES, THE THREE OF YOU TOGETHER ARE GOING TO MAKE THREE MINUTES.

MARTA EVRY: THE FIVE OF US.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THE FIVE OF YOU, BRENT HOERNER, DR. BRENT HOERNER AND SALLY HAMPTON ARE THOSE THE FIVE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO? OKAY WE HAVE FOUR PEOPLE WE NEED ONE MORE PERSON UP HERE. AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A 5-MINUTE PRESENTATION.

SPEAKER: AND IT'LL BE ONE PERSON WHO'LL BE TAKING MY PLACE AT THE COMPUTER WHEN I SPEAK. HE'S GOING TO BE UP BUT HE'S NOT SPEAKING.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: BUT WE ONLY HAVE, WE HAVE FIVE PEOPLE UP NOW. SO YOU ARE GIVING YOUR TIME TO THE PRESENTATION.

MARTA EVRY: CAN I ASK YOU WHAT THE RULE, I'M SORRY. THIS IS MY FIRST TIME HERE. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT EACH PERSON GOT THREE MINUTES. I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ONE MINUTE, ONE MINUTE.

MARTA EVRY: I KNOW, BUT WHERE IN THE RULES DOES IT SAY THAT? 'CAUSE I SORT OF RESEARCHED THIS BEFORE I CAME HERE.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT, WE'LL TAKE IT TO THE BOARD TO DECIDE.

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: MADAM CHAIR --

JOHN QUIGLEY: FOUR STRAIGHT DAYS -- [ INAUDIBLE ].

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT WELL THE BOARD WILL DECIDE HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD WE ALLOCATE EACH PERSON. IS THERE A SUGGESTION? IF THE BOARD --

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: MADAM CHAIR I THINK YOUR RULING IS APPROPRIATE AND I DON'T THINK THERE'S A NEED TO --

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: WE HAVE LISTENED FOR MANY TIMES FOR THIS, AND SO DO YOU HAVE A MOTION FOR ONE MINUTE?

SUP. YAROSLAVSKY: THAT'S FINE, JUST TO VALIDATE --

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT IS THERE ANYONE WHO OBJECTS TO THE ONE MINUTE FOR EACH PERSON. ALL RIGHT. THERE'S NO OBJECTION. IT'S GOING TO BE ONE MINUTE PER PERSON. NOW, YOU CAN GO TOGETHER AND PUT A 10-MINUTE PRESENTATION, IF 10 PEOPLE TAKE THEIR NAMES AND WE CAN HAVE IT AND YOU CAN HAVE A 10-MINUTE, BUT WE HAVE -- I TELL YOU, WE HAVE A CLOSED SESSION. YOU'VE BEEN HERE ENOUGH TO KNOW WE HAVE SOME VERY SERIOUS PROBLEMS WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH. THIS IS NOT ON OUR AGENDA AND I KNOW IT'S SERIOUS TO YOU AND IT'S SERIOUS TO THE PEOPLE, BUT WE ONLY HAVE AUTHORITY TO DEAL WITH THOSE THINGS THAT ARE ON OUR AGENDA, AND WE HAVE SOME VERY SERIOUS THINGS WE HAVE TO ADDRESS TODAY. NOW, 10 PEOPLE, OR YOU HAVE FIVE PEOPLE WITH FIVE MINUTES, AND IS IT VICKY CONNOR? ARE YOU THE OTHER PERSON WHO IS GOING TO BE -- ALL RIGHT IT'S FIVE PEOPLE HERE WHO ARE GOING TO GIVE THE PRESENTATION, WHO ARE UP HERE. YOU DON'T WANT TO TAKE YOUR MINUTE -- LET SOMEONE ELSE HANDLE IT, COME UP FORWARD AND GIVE THEIR MINUTE.

SPEAKER: I'M JUST -- I'M NOT SPEAKING. I'M JUST --.

SPEAKER: DO YOUR PRESENTATION.

SPEAKER: WHILE THEY SPEAK, I'M NOT SPEAKING.

SPEAKER: TIME'S GETTING AWAY, WE CAN BE GOING NOW.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT ALL I NEED IS, OKAY JUST GO ON. I'LL TAKE VICKY HANNAH. HER NAME WILL BE INCLUDED AS THE FIFTH PERSON.

SPEAKER: THEY HAVE A PRESENTATION.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: START YOUR TIME.

MARTA EVRY: MAY I START?

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: YES. START.

MARTA EVRY: THIS IS MY FIRST TIME HERE. GOOD AFTERNOON, HONORABLE BOARD AND MADAM CHAIR. MY NAME IS MARTA EVRY, AND I LIVE IN VENICE, CALIFORNIA AND I'M HERE OBVIOUSLY TO SPEAK ABOUT OLD GLORY. I COME BEFORE YOU TODAY NOT TO DEFEND THIS ONE OAK TREE, BUT TO DEFEND WHAT THE TREE REPRESENTS. IT IS THE PROVERBIAL CANARY IN THE COAL MINE AND IT'S BECOME A CALL TO ARMS FOR COUNTLESS CITIZENS, NOT JUST THE FIFTH DISTRICT, BUT OF THE ENTIRE COUNTY, THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND INDEED THE WORLD. IN A TIME OF RECESSION, POSSIBLE WAR, AND PERSISTENT ANXIETY OF DOMESTIC TERRORISM, OLD GLORY HAS BECOME A POWERFUL SYMBOL TO MANY PEOPLE. A SINGLE OAK TREE STANDING IN THE WAY OF A FREEWAY TO NOWHERE FOR A DEVELOPMENT THAT DOES NOT YET EXIST. THEY ARE MOVED BY A DESPERATE HOPE TO SAVE SOME SMALL PART OF THEIR WORLD THAT IS FAST DISAPPEARING. HOW DO I KNOW THIS? BECAUSE MORE THAN 6,000 SIGNATURES, MANY OF WHICH I HAVE WITH ME TODAY HAVE ALREADY BEEN COLLECTED AND SUBMITTED TO YOU. I ALSO HAVE WITH ME NUMEROUS PRESS ACCOUNTS REGARDING OLD GLORY AND JOHN QUIGLEY'S VIGIL. I HAVE ARTICLES FROM THE WASHINGTON POST, THE NEW YORK TIMES AND THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR AND PRESS REPORTS FROM GERMANY, THE U.K., ASIA, AND EVEN NEW ZEALAND. WHAT BEGAN AS A PROVINCIAL PROBLEM OF LAND USE IN THE SANTA CLARITA VALLEY HAS TURNED INTO A WORLDWIDE REFERENDUM ON LOS ANGELES WIDELY PERCEIVED AS THE LAND OF GRIDLOCK AND SUBURBAN SPRAWL, DESTROYER OF WORLDS. FROM THE WASHINGTON POST, "PEOPLE CAN NO LONGER MOVE DOWN THE ROAD BECAUSE LOS ANGELES COUNTY IS ALMOST COMPLETELY DEVELOPED. VERY LITTLE RAW LAND IS AVAILABLE ANY MORE, IN A CITY THAT DEFINES SUBURBAN SPRAWL THE OAK TREE'S FATE HAS TAKEN AN OUTSIZED MEANING. THE LAST REDOUBT OF NATURE PROTECTED BY COMMUTERS CIRCLING THEIR SPORTS WAGONS." FROM THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, "THE REMORSELESS DEVOURING OF LANDSCAPE IS PUSHING INCREASING MULTITUDES FOR A MELTDOWN OF REBELLION OVER QUALITY OF LIFE."

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED AND FOR THE NEXT PERSON.

MARTA EVRY: I'M DOING THE WHOLE THING, I'M DOING THE WHOLE THING. [ MIXED VOICES ].

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT, OKAY THEN THE NEXT PERSON YOU'RE GIVING UP YOUR TIME RIGHT? ALL RIGHT THE NEXT PERSON IS GIVING UP THEIR TIME.

MARTA EVRY: THE NATIONAL DESK OF THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE CONTROVERSY IS ABOUT MORE THAN THE FUTURE OF A TREE, IT HAS BECOME SYMBOLIC OF A BATTLE TO CONTROL SUBURBAN SPRAWL WHICH HAS ALREADY CONSUMED MUCH OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: YOU NOW HAVE BEEN THREE MINUTES, ALL RIGHT.

MARTA EVRY: AND LASTLY FROM AN EDITORIAL FROM THE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURAL NEWS, "GIVEN THE MEDIA ATTENTION ATTRACTED BY THE EFFORT TO SAVE OLD GLORY I PREDICT SUCH VISUALS TO FOLLOW. MAKE WHAT YOU WILL OF THEM. THEY ARE JUST THE TIP OF THE ICE BERG." SO HONORABLE BOARD AND MADAM CHAIRMAN, I SIT BEFORE YOU TODAY TO TELL YOU IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO DO SOMETHING. YOU, ALL OF YOU, HAVE THE POWER TO STOP THIS PROCESS. OLD GLORY MUST BE PUT ON YOUR AGENDA, DEBATED AND VOTED UPON. IT WILL BE HARD, IT WILL BE POLITICALLY DARING AND IT WILL MEAN OVERCOMING A LOT OF PROCEDURAL INERTIA, BUT IT HAS TO BE DONE, BECAUSE IF THIS TREE IS MOVED AND IF IT SHOULD DIE, IT WILL NOT DIE UNNOTICED. PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD WILL KNOW THIS TREE DIED BECAUSE ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT HAVE THE POWER TO SAVE IT CHOSE TO DO NOTHING. IF YOU NEED ANY OTHER REASON LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THE COUNTY MAP. LOOK AT THE NAMES YOU SEE THERE. MULHOLLAND DRIVE, HANCOCK PARK, ABBOT KINNEY BOULEVARD, GRIFFITH PARK, ALL PLACES HONORING PEOPLE WHOSE LEGACIES HAVE OUTLIVED NEAR NAMES, THEN ASK YOURSELF WHAT LEGACY DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE BEHIND FOR YOUR CHILDREN AND THE CHILDREN OF THE CITIZENS YOU REPRESENT. DO YOU WANT YOUR NAMES IMMORTALIZED IN A SUBURBAN SPRAWL, ENDLESS GRIDLOCKED FREEWAYS AND COUNTLESS MINI MALLS OF THE FUTURE ANCHORED IN THE FOOLISH CHOICES OF THE PAST OR DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED FOR HAVING THE POLITICAL WILL AND CREATIVE VISION TO CHANGE THE VERY NATURE OF HOW WE DECIDE TO USE WHAT RESOURCES WE HAVE LEFT TO US? I SAY YOU ONLY NEED TO GO HOME TONIGHT AND LOOK INTO THE EYES OF CHILDREN TO KNOW THAT ANSWER. THANK YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT. [ APPLAUSE ] [ YELLING ]

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: SHE TOOK YOUR TIME AND I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT. WE CAN TAKE ONE OTHER PERSON, THERE SHE TOOK THREE MINUTES.

SPEAKER: OKAY. THAT'S ME.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: WE'LL TAKE ONE OTHER PERSON BUT THE REST OF YOU THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [ MIXED VOICES ]

SPEAKER: I'M HERE.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: I KNOW BUT THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE SITTING HERE THAT WHO SHE TOOK THEIR TIME. ALL RIGHT, WELL JUST A SECOND. WE HAVE SOME OTHER PEOPLE TO CALL UP, BECAUSE SHE TOOK THREE MINUTES. I EXPLAINED IT'S A MINUTE FOR EACH PERSON. SHE SAID SHE WAS GOING TO TALK AND YOU WERE GOING TO GIVE HER YOUR TIME, SO WE'LL ASK YOU NOW TO MOVE AND SOMEONE ELSE WILL COME UP AND TAKE YOUR PLACE.

JOHN QUIGLEY: BUT OTHER PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO GIVE UP THEIR TIME FOR THIS CASE.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: OKAY. WELL, TELL ME WHO GAVE UP THEIR TIME FOR THIS LADY.

SPEAKER: I'LL GIVE UP MY TIME.

GARY KNOWLTON: I'LL USE ONE MINUTE. I'LL USE ONE MINUTE MA'AM, CAN I USE ONE MINUTE? YES, GARY KNOWLTON, TREE SURGEON ARBORIST, I.S.A. CERTIFIED ARBORIST.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: AND SO YOU'RE GIVING UP YOUR TIME FOR HER?

GARY KNOWLTON: I'LL GIVE UP ONE MINUTE, IN OTHER WORDS I'LL GIVE MY ONE-MINUTE PRESENTATION AND TRY TO REACH YOU WITH MY COMMENTS.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: BUT JUST A SECOND, SOMEONE, SHE TOOK THREE MINUTES, WHAT IS YOUR NAME?

SPEAKER: OH, GIVE ME A BREAK.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: OWEN? BOWMAN, OKAY WE'LL TAKE YOU OUT, AND WHO ELSE, WE NEED ANOTHER PERSON? HENDERSON AND BOWMAN, WE'LL TAKE YOU OUT. OKAY KERRY HENDERSON HAS GIVEN HER TIME TO HER, AND WARREN BOWMAN. OKAY NOW THE OTHER PEOPLE, JUST GO RIGHT AHEAD.

KIM WAYMER: OKAY. GREAT. MADAM CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE SUPERVISORS BOARD, MY NAME IS KIM WAYMER. I HAVE A MASTER'S DEGREE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AS WELL AS I WAS A TECHNICAL WRITER FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING FIRM. BUT BASICALLY THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS. THE OFFICIAL COUNTY MASTER PLAN OF 1940 IS BASICALLY WHAT'S BEING USED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH'S OFFICE TO DEFEND THE BASIS FOR WIDENING PICO CANYON ROAD AND KILLING OLD GLORY. AND I'M JUST GOING TO GO RIGHT TO THE BOTTOM LINE OF THIS. BASICALLY IF YOU LOOK AT THE OFFICIAL COUNTY MASTER PLAN 1940, IT WILL SHOCK YOU. ESPECIALLY IF YOU LOOK IN THE AREA OF THE SECOND DISTRICT. BASICALLY IT SAYS, AND EXCUSE ME FOR SAYING THIS, I HAVE A COPY OF IT, IT CALLS IT NIGGER SLOUGH, AND IT'S VERY OFFENSIVE. THIS ALSO SHOWS YOU THAT THIS MASTER PLAN IS WAY OUTDATED, SHOULD BE TOTALLY REVAMPED, THERE SHOULD BE A NEW PLAN IMPLEMENTED, AND BASICALLY THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

KIM WAYMER: I MEAN, I JUST WANT --

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: AND WOULD BARRY BROLAN COME FORWARD AND TAKE HER SEAT. THANK YOU THE NEXT PERSON PLEASE.

DR. J. BRENT HOERNER: OKAY I'LL GO AHEAD AND GO, I'M DR. J. BRENT HOERNER AND I'VE BEEN A LICENSED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR OVER 30 YEARS, AND I'M A PH.D. GRADUATE FROM CAL TECH. WE HAVE RECENTLY BEEN INFORMED THAT A 65-MILE-PER-HOUR EXPRESSWAY IS PLANNED FOR PICO CANYON ROAD, AND I'M ASKING THE QUESTION, IS IT GOOD PLANNING TO HAVE A 65-MILE-PER-HOUR EXPRESSWAY BESIDE A PEDESTRIAN SIDEWALK, A HORSE TRAIL, AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL? I DON'T THINK SO. THE CURRENT TREND IN ROAD DESIGN HAS BEEN CALLED SMART GROWTH. GROWTH THAT TRANSFERS THE BURDEN OF PROVIDING ROADS FROM TAXPAYERS TO DEVELOPERS. IN REALITY, THESE COSTS ARE PASSED ON TO THE HOMEOWNERS THROUGH THE TRICKLEDOWN EFFECT TO EVERY CITIZEN IN THE COUNTY. I RECOMMEND THAT WE ADOPT GENIUS GROWTH, GROWTH THAT DOES NOT WASTE MONEY ON SPECULATIVE EXPRESSWAYS THAT MAY NEVER BE UTILIZED, BUT INSTEAD, ESTABLISHES A FUND, A DEDICATED INTEREST-BEARING ACCOUNT SO THAT THESE FUNDS CAN BE USED TO BUILD ROADS WHEN AND IF THEY ARE NEEDED, BUT NOT BEFORE. THE ROAD SPEED THAT'S RECOMMENDED BY CAL TRANS IS ONLY 40 TO 50 MILES AN HOUR FOR THIS ROAD.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU.

DR. J. BRENT HOERNER: AND I AM IN THE PROCESS OF DESIGNING ROADS FOR THIS PROJECT AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO AT --

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. AND WOULD SARAH MCHATTON COME FORWARD.

GARY KNOWLTON: I'LL BE THE MASTER OF BREVITY ONE MINUTE, THANK YOU MA'AM, HONORED MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, I'M GARY KNOWLTON, TREE SURGEON, ARBORIST, I.S.A. CERTIFIED TREE SURGEON, I'VE BEEN TO THE SITE AND OBSERVED THE TREE AND MANY OF YOU MAY HAVE NOT BEEN THERE. THE PICTURE DOES NOT DO THE TREE JUSTICE. IT IS AN ENORMOUS, MAGNIFICENT HERITAGE TREE OF TREMENDOUS SIZE AND SIGNIFICANCE. AND THE REAL PROBLEM HERE IS NOT THAT AMERICAN ENGINEERS COULD NOT HAVE FIGURED A WAY TO MAKE A ROAD AROUND THIS TREE. THAT COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY ACCOMPLISHED. THE ROAD WAS AIMED AT THE TREE WITH THE FULL INTENTION OF DESTROYING IT, AND I THINK THIS IS A CATASTROPHE IN PLANNING. IF WE AS INTELLIGENT EDUCATED AMERICANS HAD PLANNED TO SAVE THIS TREE, IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE CENTERPIECE OF THE DEVELOPMENT, GREETING THE PEOPLE DRIVING IN THERE. IF YOU COULD HAVE BUILT YOUR AD CAMPAIGN AROUND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS HERITAGE TREE, AND CALIFORNIA AND AMERICA IS OUR TYPE TO THE WORLD. EVERYBODY LOOKS TO US FOR GUIDANCE AND LEADERSHIP AND DIRECTION AND PRINCIPLE AND ETHIC AND CHARACTER. WE SHOULD STAND HIGH ON THIS MOUNTAIN AND SAY, "LOOK, WE HAVE THE WISDOM, THE FORESIGHT TO LEAVE THIS TREE IN PLACE SO THAT IT CAN STAND FOR THE FUTURE AND THEY'LL REMEMBER US FOR OUR CHARACTER AND FORESIGHT, THANK YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WOULD ROWEN BARRY PLEASE COME FORWARD?

ROWEN BARRY: MY NAME IS ROWEN BARRY, AS A 9 YEAR RESIDENT HOMEOWNER AND ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT OF A 296 UNIT TOWN HOME COMMUNITY IN STEVENSON RANCH I IMPLORE YOU ALL TO SERIUOSLY RECONSIDER THE WIDENING OF PICO CANYON AS CURRENTLY PLANNED. IT HAS COME TO LIGHT RECENTLY THAT THIS WILL BE BUILT TO SPECS ABETTING HIGHWAY OF 65 MILE AN HOUR DESIGN SPEED. AS THE HIGHWAY EXPERTS HAVE SAID, WHERE THE POTENTIAL IS THERE, REGARDLESS OF THE POSTED LIMIT, THE SPEEDERS WILL FOLLOW. SIERRA HIGHWAY AND SOLEDAD CANYON ARE TWO LOCAL EXAMPLES OF FOUR LANERS WITH TEMPTINGLY DRIVABLE RIGHT CURVES WHOSE SPEED LIMITS DON'T EXCEED 55 IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS YET WE HEAR OF HIGH-SPEED FATALS ON THESE ROADS WITH ALL TOO METRONOMIC REGULARITY. HOMEOWNERS IN SOUTHERN OAKS DEVELOPMENT ALONG PICO CANYON ARE BECOMING VERY ANGRY OVER THIS BAIT AND SWITCH FROM THE QUIET, SECLUDED ENCLAVE THEY WERE PROMISED IN THEIR EXPENSIVE PURCHASE, NOT TO MENTION THE SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES THAT THEY ALSO FIND OF ENORMOUS CONCERN. THOUGH I HAVE SAID THAT MY NEIGHBORS HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTINGLY APATHETIC TO MUCH OF THIS, I AM ENCOURAGED OF LATE TO SEE MORE AND MORE OF THEM BECOMING INCREASINGLY AND ALBEIT ANGRY AND ANGRILY AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON AND OF THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF RANCH DEVELOPMENT.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WOULD ANDREW MCHATTON PLEASE COME FORWARD? MCHATTEN, OKAY, I'M SORRY. AND ALSO CAROL REYES, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

SALLY HAMPTON: IT WAS -- SHOULD I JUST --

SPEAKER: GO.

SALLY HAMPTON: MY NAME IS SALLY HAMPTON AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO AND TO PRESENT TO YOU IS A CLEAR INDICATION OF PUBLIC OUTRAGE AND THE FACT THAT PUBLIC WORKS WILL NOT LOOK OBJECTIVELY AT THE SOLUTIONS THAT WE'VE PROPOSED BECAUSE WE'RE THERE PROPOSING A FREEWAY THAT MAKES NO SENSE, AND TO REMOVE OLD GLORY TO BULLDOZE FOR AN EXPRESSWAY WILL OPEN FLOODGATES TO MASS SPRAWL THAT WILL MOST CERTAINLY IMPACT IN THE ENTIRE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE THAT'S LIMITED TO THE FIFTH DISTRICT. THIS AFFECTS ALL OF US, AND THAT IS WHY I ASK YOU TO EXERCISE YOUR AUTHORITY TO PUT PICO CANYON ROAD AND OLD GLORY ON THE COUNTY AGENDA NOW, AND NOT TO DO SO WOULD DEMONSTRATE A PERCEPTION OF INSENSITIVITY TO THE CONCERNS OF ALL YOUR CONSTITUENTS, MANY OF THEM WHO HAD TO LEAVE BUT THEY WERE HERE. WE ARE FULLY AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON HERE AND IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT ONE TREE. THIS IS ABOUT MUCH, MUCH MORE THAN JUST ONE TREE, AND I WANT TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF LEGACY ARE WE GOING TO LEAVE BEHIND TO OUR CHILDREN IF THIS IS THE KIND OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING THAT WE'RE GOING TO BASE EVERYTHING ON MAPS 63 YEARS OLD. 63 YEARS OLD.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WOULD KIM HINDISLEY PLEASE COME FORWARD. STATE YOUR NAME.

ANDREW MCHATTEN: ANDREW MCHATTEN. OKAY. 419 IS SHE MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN ANY PERSON COULD BE IN RUIN BECAUSE SOMEONE REFUSES TO LAY SOME EXTRA PAVEMENT AROUND THE TREE. WHEN I SEE A TREE CUT DOWN OR DIE BECAUSE SOMEONE DID NOT TAKE CARE OF IT, IT MAKES ME FEEL ANGRY. OLD GLORY SHOULD OWN THE LAND WHERE THE ROOTS GROW. WHY SHOULD PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO TAKE HER AWAY FROM THERE? PEOPLE SHOULD USE THEIR GIFTS AND ABILITIES POSITIVELY TOWARDS NATURE. AS I GROW UP, I SEE LOTS OF NATURE AROUND WHERE I LIVE BEING RUINED. I SEE HILLS BEING LEVELED, I SEE HUNDREDS OF TREES BEING CUT DOWN, I SEE LOTS OF DEAD WILD ANIMALS ON THE ROADS, LIKE DEAD COYOTES, BOB CATS, RACCOONS, FOXES, BADGERS, BIRDS, AND OTHER ANIMALS. I DON'T WANT TO SEE OLD GLORY BE DEAD, TOO. AS I GROW UP, I WILL BE WATCHING AND HOPING YOU WILL HELP PRESERVE THE NATURE IN THIS COUNTY. PLEASE SAVE OLD GLORY AND DON'T KILL HER.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOU MADE A VERY EXCELLENT STATEMENT. GOOD.

SPEAKER: EXCUSE ME?

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MICHAEL BLUBACH COME FORWARD. YES WOULD YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME? YES, THE LADY IN THE MIDDLE.

[ SPEAKING SPANISH ] (VOICE OF INTERPRETER) MY NAME IS CAROL REYES. SUPERVISORS IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE BEFORE YOU TODAY. AS SECRETARY OF THE GROUP -- BILINGUAL GROUP OF FLORENCE MIDDLE SCHOOL, IN DISTRICT A, I'M PRESENT IN THE NAME OF THE CHILDREN FROM DISTRICT A. AS THE CHILDREN AND THE PARENTS, WE ARE AFFECTED BY THE PLANNED TRANSPLANT OF OLD GLORY. IT'S A SHAME BECAUSE THIS TREE MEASURES MORE THAN 70 FEET AND IS MORE THAN 400 YEARS OLD. IN MY SCHOOLS, WE TEACH OUR CHILDREN TO PLANT TREES, NOT TO TRANSPLANT THEM. AND I PERSONALLY HAVE OBTAINED MORE THAN 300 SIGNATURES AND ADDRESSES OF PEOPLE. INCLUDING THE SIGNATURE OF THE DIRECTOR OF DISTRICT A AND MANY OF THE TEACHERS AND DIRECTORS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>>SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU.

SPEAKER: [ SPEAKING SPANISH ]

(VOICE OF INTERPRETER) I WISH THAT YES SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH, I ASK YOU TO LEAVE THE TREE IN OUR DISTRICT.

>>SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE LADY OVER HERE, AND THEN WE'D LIKE TO CALL UP MICHAEL BLUBACH AND TERRENCE SMITH. YOU KNOW WHAT, I THINK THERE'S SOME PEOPLE HERE WHO SAY THEY'RE HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME. YOU SHOULD, I HOPE THEY EXPLAINED TO YOU, WE HAVE NO JURISDICTION TO CONSIDER THIS IN ANY WAY UNTIL THE COURT DECIDES THAT WE CAN PUT IT ON OUR AGENDA AND THAT IT HAS TO COME BACK. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE AN INTEREST IN THIS. WE HAVE NO JURISDICTION OVER IT AT SUCH TIME AS THE COURT RULES THAT IT SHOULD COME BACK TO US, WE WILL CONSIDER IT. UNTIL THAT TIME, WE HAVE NO JURISDICTION TO CONSIDER IT. THIS IS UNDER PUBLIC COMMENT ON ANY ISSUE IN THE WORLD. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT IRAQ, YOU CAN TALK ABOUT WHATEVER YOU WANT DURING THIS PUBLIC COMMENT TIME, BUT WE DON'T REALLY HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO EVEN RESPOND TO YOU UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. WE CAN'T EVEN ANSWER YOU OR ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU SUBMIT BECAUSE OF THE LAW OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA THAT SAYS CERTAIN RULES ARE IN THE BROWN ACT OF THAT STATE AND OF OUR LAWS IN CALIFORNIA. SO FOR THOSE WHO ARE HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE LISTEN TO YOU AND THAT'S ALL WE CAN DO. WE CAN'T COMMENT, WE CAN'T CONSIDER ANYTHING YOU SAY, BUT CERTAINLY YOU'RE FREE TO SAY IT, IT'S A FREE COUNTRY, AND THAT'S PART OF YOUR ALLOWED TO DO THAT BY THE LAW, BUT WE JUST CAN'T CONSIDER ANYTHING YOU SAY. YES? OH THE LADY IN THE GREEN.

SARAH MACLHATTEN: MY NAME IS SARAH MACLHATTEN, I'M A RESIDENT OF CAS STAKE. MR. ANTONOVICH, THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO KEEP OLD GLORY ALIVE WHERE SHE STANDS ARE THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE AND RESPECT THE NATURAL LAND OF CALIFORNIA. THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO MOVE AND KILL OLD GLORY ARE THE PEOPLE WHO WILL MAKE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM THE DEVELOPMENT. THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE WORKED FOR OLD GLORY, THE PROTESTERS, LAWYERS, SUPPORTERS, AND TREE SITTERS WHO WORK TO SAVE HER ARE NOT MAKING ANY MONEY FROM DOING IT. THE PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING TO KILL HER ARE ON SALARIES PAID BY DEVELOPERS, THE BIG CORPORATIONS, AND THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES. THE DEVELOPER SAYS THEY CAN'T MAKE THE ROAD AROUND OLD GLORY BECAUSE THE COUNTY SAYS THEY CANNOT. THE COUNTY, THAT WOULD BE YOU, MR. ANTONOVICH, SAYS THEY CANNOT MAKE THE ROAD AROUND THE TREE BECAUSE THE DEVELOPER SAYS THEY CANNOT. WHO REALLY WANTS TO MOVE AND KILL HER? WHO REALLY WANTS WHO -- WHO IS FORCING WHO TO MOVE OLD GLORY? THE TWO-LANE ROAD AS IT STANDS IS NOW LEGAL FOR ALL APPROVED DEVELOPMENT. SIR, LEAVE THE ROAD AS IT IS OR PUT THE ROAD AROUND THE TREE. NEWHALL RANCH SAYS THEY DON'T WANT OR NEED YOUR BIGGER ROAD. SO WHAT IS THIS ROAD EXPANSION REALLY ALL ABOUT? THIS MASTER PLAN IS FROM 1940.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MICHAEL BLUBACH, WILL YOU TAKE HER SEAT AND YES SIR? GO RIGHT AHEAD.

MICHAEL BLUBACH: HI, MICHAEL BLUBACH, I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MALIBU FOUNDATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION. WE'VE TALKED TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF KIDS UP AND DOWN THE STATE AND THERE ARE MANY, MANY DAVIDS LIKE YOU JUST SAW HERE OR THAT I'M SPEAKING TO THAT ARE COMING BACK AND RESPONDING, BEING MOTIVATED BY THIS ISSUE ABOUT SAVING THE TREES. THEY'RE YOUR FUTURE VOTERS, THEIR PARENTS ARE YOUR VOTERS, THEY CARE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I IMPLORE YOU AND REQUEST YOU CONSIDER DOING YOUR BEST TO SAVE THE TREE, NOT MOVE THE TREE.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT. YES, SIR.

KIM KINDERSLY: MY NAME IS KIM KINDERSLY. I'M FROM LONDON AND I WORK WITH FUTURE FORESTS, AND WE PRESERVE TREES AND --

SUP. ANTONOVICH: UP TO THE MICROPHONE, THAT'S THE MICROPHONE.

KIM KINDERSLY: THAT'S THE MICROPHONE, WE PRESERVE TREES ALL OVER THE WORLD, AND I'M HERE TODAY TO PUT THE GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE ON THIS, WHICH IS THAT IF YOU CUT DOWN AND KILL THIS TREE, YOU WILL MAKE A MARTYR OF THIS TREE. THERE ARE HUGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD THAT ARE LOOKING AT AMERICA AT THE MOMENT AS THIS COUNTRY THAT DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE SACREDNESS OF LIFE OR ABOUT PEOPLE, AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU USE YOUR POWER TO SAVE THIS TREE BECAUSE IT WILL BE A MASSIVE BACKLASH. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]

KIM KINDERSLY: AND VERY, VERY QUICKLY, I HAVE A MESSAGE FROM ONE OF THE CAST MEMBERS OF "LORD OF THE RINGS", A VERY POPULAR FILM ALL ABOUT NATURE FIGHTING AGAINST THE INDUSTRIAL MILITARY COMPLEX AND THEY HAVE HUGE NUMBERS OF FANS AND THEY WILL GET ENGAGED IN THIS FIGHT, SO PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING AND SHOW THAT AMERICA IS NOT WHAT THIS ADMINISTRATION IS MAKING AMERICA OUT TO BE. THANK YOU. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: COULD WE ASK TERRENCE SMITH AND GAIL MATTHAS TO COME FORWARD, YES SIR?

TERRENCE SMITH: I'M TERRENCE SMITH FROM SHERMAN OAKS, I WAS AN ACTOR ON HOME IMPROVEMENT AND NOW HAVE MY OWN SHOW DEALING WITH MATTERS LIKE THIS. AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO HAVE ALL OF YOU LOOK YOURSELVES STRAIGHT IN THE EYE AND ASK YOURSELF, IS THIS A GOOD THING, IS THIS RIGHT, AND IF YOUR ANSWER IS "YES, I WOULD LIKE TO CUT DOWN A 400-YEAR-OLD TREE ON A WHIM", THEN ON BEHALF OF THE YOUTH OF THIS COUNTRY AND THE YOUTH OF THIS WHOLE WORLD, I ASK YOU TO PLEASE STEP DOWN AND ALLOW THOSE OF US THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THESE CONSEQUENCES TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS, AND TO REMEMBER THAT WHEN YOU'RE OUT OF THIS OFFICE AND MY GENERATION IS MAKING THESE DECISIONS, WE WILL REMEMBER.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GAIL MATTHAS AND BARBARA BENTREE. ALL RIGHT, YES. COULD WE HAVE -- IS THIS BARBARA BENTREE? ALL RIGHT. AND JIM CARMICHAEL. PLEASE COME FORWARD. AND MARY ETI. JIM STEWART? HENRY VAN PELT.

SPEAKER: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'M THRILLED TO BE HERE AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF 55 CHILDREN IN THE LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY THAT ARE IN THE CONSTITUENCY OF MR. YAROSLAVSKY. AND I'D LIKE TO EXPLAIN THAT OUR 55 CHILDREN I COME AS AN EMISSARY FOR OUR CAST OF 55 KIDS WHO ARE ALL BEHIND THE SAVING OF THIS BEAUTIFUL TREE. THE NAME OF OUR PLAY IS "THE MEDICINE TREE." IT'S ABSOLUTELY SYNCHRONISTIC THAT WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF WRITING THIS, MY PARTNER AND I WHO GAVE ME THE MINUTE AND THAT WE CAME UPON THIS BEAUTIFUL IDEA TO WRITE THIS PLAY AND AT THE SAME TIME THE OLD GLORY SITUATION CAME UP AND WE ARE GREATLY BEHIND THE PRESERVATION OF THIS TREE AND THAT THE PRESENT MUSICAL THAT WE HAVE GOING IN LOS ANGELES ILLUMINATES THE PRESERVATION OF ALL OLD GROWTH TREES. THE VERY OVERALL MESSAGE IS ABOUT OUR SOCIETY'S DISCONNECT FROM OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE OLD TREES. THE CONCLUSION OF OUR MUSICAL IS THAT ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS AND DEVELOPERS NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TOWARDS A WONDERFUL SOLUTION WHICH MAY BE LONGER IN THE LONG RUN AND THE PROCESS MAY TAKE LONGER, BUT ULTIMATELY ONE THAT IS BEST FOR THE PLANET. I ENCOURAGE THE COUNCIL AND THE APPROPRIATE PEOPLES TO -- AND I REQUEST TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA SO THESE 55 CHILDREN COULD COME FORWARD AND SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. THE MEDICINE TREE WILL LIVE ON. THANK YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT CONCLUDES THE NAMES THAT I HAVE CALLED -- ARE THERE PEOPLE WHOSE NAMES I'VE CALLED WHO HAVEN'T COME UP, PLEASE COME UP, IF WE'VE CALLED YOUR NAME. IF WE'VE CALLED YOUR NAME, PLEASE COME UP. YES.

TIM CARMICHAEL: GOOD AFTERNOON, SUPERVISOR BURKE. MY NAME'S TIM CARMICHAEL, I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COALITION FOR CLEAN AIR. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE LEADERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY. I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES FROM N.R.D.C., HEAL THE BAY ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE. WE ARE ASKING SIMPLY THAT YOU RECONSIDER THIS AND THAT YOU DO PUT THIS ON YOUR AGENDA FOR HEARING TO HEAR A MORE FORMAL REPORT FROM YOUR STAFF AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY RATHER THAN A COMPRESSED PUBLIC HEARING. THIS TREE, IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO THE SITE, EVERYONE THAT'S BEEN THERE RECOGNIZES THIS TREE DOES NOT NEED TO BE CUT DOWN. HOW MANY 400-YEAR-OLD TREES CAN YOU IDENTIFY IN THIS COUNTY? IN ANY PART OF THE COUNTY? THERE JUST AREN'T MANY OF THEM, AND IF WE HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE, YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO CHANGE THIS COURSE, AND THAT'S WHAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY IS ASKING YOU TO DO. DON'T JUST LET THE BUREAUCRACY STOP YOU FROM DOING WHAT'S RIGHT.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MARY ETI. IS THAT -- ALL RIGHT. JIM STEWART?

JIM STEWART: JIM STEWART, YES.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ARE YOU HEIDI VAN PELT?

VICKI HANNA: HANNA, VICKI HANNA. YOU CALLED ME EARLIER.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: I'M SORRY. OKAY WHY DON'T YOU GO RIGHT AHEAD AND THEN I'LL HAVE MR. STEWART SPEAK.

VICKI HANNA: OKAY IT'S VICKY HANNA, I AM A CO- DIRECTOR OF THE JUST WITHIN REACH FOUNDATION WHICH IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION FOUNDED BY ACTOR AND MUSICIAN KEVIN RICHARDSON. YOU PROBABLY KNOW HIM BEST AS ONE OF THE BACK STREET BOYS. AND WHAT WE DO IS WE EDUCATE KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF ACHIEVING BALANCE IN THIS WORLD, AND KIDS OF ALL PEOPLE ON THIS PLANET CAN SEE THE NEED TO HAVE COMPROMISE AND TO WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE SUCH BALANCE. FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, THIS ISSUE IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE OF ECONOMICS AS WELL AS ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION, BUT TO THE KIDS, THE ENVIRONMENT AND THEIR SAFETY AND SECURITY IN AN EVER-CHANGING WORLD IS PARAMOUNT. THE CHILDREN IN THE AREA AND THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS WANT TO KEEP THE TREE FOR THE SIMPLEST OF REASONS: BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. I WOULD ASK YOU ALL TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT YOU CAN DO AND TO SIMPLIFY YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN THE ISSUE, PUT IT ON THE AGENDA, SIMPLIFY IT AND DO IT BECAUSE IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF KIDS THAT SHOWED SUPPORT FOR MR. QUIGLEY THE NIGHT THAT HE CAME DOWN FROM THE TREE, AND I SPOKE TO A FEW OF THEM. A NINE-YEAR-OLD BOY, JAKE, ASSURED ME THERE MUST BE WAY FOR ADULTS TO COME TO A GOOD SOLUTION FOR THIS DISAGREEMENT, AND HIS BROTHER, JOSH, A 12 YEAR OLD SAID IT'S PLAIN OUT NOT FAIR, THERE ARE PLENTY OF WAYS AROUND THIS PROBLEM, AND INSTEAD OF MAKING EVERYONE UPSET, WE SHOULD ALL WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE IT WORK OUT FOR EVERYONE.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU.

VICKI HANNA: QUITE SIMPLY, THE CHILDREN ARE LISTENING YET.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: MR. STEWART, AND THEN -- PLEASE GO AHEAD.

JIM STEWART: JIM STEWART REPRESENTING THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COUNCIL ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT AND EARTH DAY LOS ANGELES AND HUNDREDS OF OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTY AND I CAN PRESENT COPIES OF THE SIGNATURES AND ALL TO YOU THAT ARE SAYING, DON'T MOVE THIS TREE. IN FACT, SPEAKING PERSONALLY, I WANT TO SAY THAT THE FACT OF THIS TREE IN BEING DISCUSSED BEFORE YOU IS LIKE AN EMBARRASSMENT. IT'S AN INTERNATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT TO THE FAILURE OF THE LEADERSHIP OF I GUESS MR. ANTONOVICH AND THAT ALL IT TAKES IS A LITTLE BIT OF PRESSURE FROM THE REST OF THE SUPERVISORS AND I THINK THAT THIS WOULDN'T EVEN NEED TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD, THAT YOU GUYS COULD WORK WITH THE COUNTY BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND THEY COULD MIRACULOUSLY COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THIS. THIS IS NOT A BIG DEAL. DO IT.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WOULD YOU STATE YOUR NAME, PLEASE?

HEIDI VAN PELT: HEIDI VAN PELT.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT.

HEIDI VAN PELT: HI I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY -- WELL, I'M GOING TO DO FINISH VICKI'S SPEECH. I ENCOURAGE THE SUPERVISORS AND THE COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THESE KIDS AND ALL KIDS WHO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF THEIR ENVIRONMENT AND WORK TO ADOPT A ROAD PLAN THAT SUPPORTS THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY WHILE ALSO PROTECTING OUR NATURAL ASSETS SUCH AS OLD GLORY AND THE OTHER GROVES OF TREES IN THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT. MODIFY THE ROAD PLAN WITH REDUCED SPEED AND CAPACITY SPECIFICATIONS SO THAT THE ALTERNATIVE ROAD DESIGNS THAT SAVE OLD GLORY WILL MEET COUNTY STANDARDS AND PRESERVE OUR NATURAL HERITAGE. THAT'S FROM VICKI HANNA. AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY, PLEASE SAFE OUR WISDOM. PLEASE DON'T KILL IT BECAUSE IT'S OLD BECAUSE OLD IS NOT BAD.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I HAVE NO OTHER NAMES OF OTHER PEOPLE TO COME BEFORE US. IF THERE'S ANYONE ELSE WHOSE NAME I CALLED THAT HAS NOT SPOKEN, YOU CAN LET ME KNOW. IF NOT, AT THIS POINT, WE WILL NOW ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION.

CLERK VARONA-LUKENS: IN ACCORDANCE WITH BROWN ACT REQUIREMENTS, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WILL CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS ITEM CS-1, CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL REGARDING EXISTING LITIGATION, ITEMS CS-2 AND CS-3, CONFERENCES WITH LEGAL COUNSEL REGARDING SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION, ONE CASE, AND ITEM CS-4, CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL REGARDING EXISTING LITIGATION AS INDICATED ON THE POSTED AGENDA AND SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA. THANK YOU.

SUP. BURKE, CHAIR: WE ARE NOW ADJOURNED TO LUNCH.

NOTICE OF ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2003

For your information, there is no reportable action as a

result of today's closed session.

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